Hutch
About the Company
Hutch was launched in 2019 as an intensive incubation program that supports minority and women entrepreneurs aiming to build successful digital services firms. It operates under Fearless, a company known for its mission to create impactful software solutions for government agencies. Based in Baltimore, Hutch focuses on providing comprehensive mentorship, tools, and peer-to-peer support for businesses involved in government contracting. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs working in areas such as product development, agile services, DevSecOps, and more. Hutch is unique in its sector, as it specifically fosters diversity in government technology services.
The program includes a 24-month cycle where businesses are supported through two phases of growth. During the first year, entrepreneurs learn how to establish a foundation for their companies and secure their first government contract. The second year focuses on scaling the business sustainably. This structured support system is designed to help minority and women entrepreneurs overcome challenges and succeed in a competitive field.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for Hutch originated from Delali Dzirasa’s experience founding Fearless in 2009. Fearless was created to address the challenges governments faced in implementing modern technology solutions effectively. Dzirasa saw an opportunity to make an even bigger impact by helping other companies adopt agile and tech-focused principles to improve government services. However, he noticed that many minority-owned and women-led businesses struggled to access opportunities in this sector.
The creation of Hutch aimed to solve this issue. By focusing on underrepresented entrepreneurs, Hutch helps these groups build businesses that provide critical services to the government. The program draws inspiration from the Department of Defense's mentor-protégé model, which helped Fearless grow, and now aims to "pay it forward" by nurturing diverse talent to drive innovation in the public sector.
Creating the Company
When Hutch was first developed, it was designed as a one-year pilot program. Early feedback showed that more time was needed for entrepreneurs to fully benefit from the mentorship and resources. As a result, Hutch expanded into a two-year program, allowing deeper engagement and more robust support for its participants. Delali Dzirasa and Stephanie Chin applied principles from Fearless and relied on industry experts to create a curriculum that teaches foundational business skills and helps participants secure government contracts.
Hutch’s first year focuses on setting up a strong business foundation, while the second year provides support for scaling up operations. A hands-on approach to mentorship ensures that businesses not only survive but thrive in the government contracting space. As the program grew, Hutch hired dedicated staff to manage its operations, including program manager Stephanie Chin, who brought her expertise in incubators to help guide the program's evolution.
Launching the Business
Launching Hutch involved leveraging Fearless’ existing network and expertise in digital services. Initially, Hutch selected seven local businesses for its first cohort, and it quickly became clear that there was strong demand for structured mentorship and incubation in this space. The program grew, incorporating more companies and expanding its curriculum, which is continuously updated based on feedback from cohort participants.
Initially, Hutch was promoted through Fearless’ existing brand presence. A year after the program’s launch, a separate website and social media channels were developed to give Hutch its own identity. The company also developed a royalty revenue model, which supports the sustainability of the program without taking equity from the businesses involved. This model aligns Hutch’s goals with those of its participants, ensuring long-term success for both.
Earnings
Hutch’s unique model focuses on long-term, sustainable growth. Rather than taking equity in the companies it supports, Hutch uses a royalty-based system to generate revenue. This model ensures that Hutch only profits as its cohort companies succeed, aligning the program's success with the growth of its participants. As of 2022, Hutch generates $6.8K in monthly revenue and supports a growing portfolio of companies. By the end of 2025, Hutch aims to incubate 25 minority-owned businesses, creating a lasting impact on the government technology services sector.
Hutch’s long-term vision is to foster a diverse ecosystem of companies that will not only thrive in government contracting but also create positive community impact. The program continues to grow, with plans to support more entrepreneurs and expand its influence across the government contracting space, ensuring that diverse voices have a seat at the table.
