Baltimore, MD— Hutch, a Maryland-based civic tech incubator operated by Fearless Institute, has opened applications for its 2026 cohort. The nine-month program is designed to support founders building technology solutions for federal, state, local, and education (SLED) government markets, offering specialized guidance on government contracting, strategic mentorship, and a strong peer community.
Following the success of its 2025 cohort—where Hutch reported a 93 percent graduation rate and supported 13 founders in securing government contracts—the program is now recruiting 12 to 15 companies for its 2026 cohort. The upcoming program will run from late March through December 2026.
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“Hutch 2025 proved what we believed: civic tech founders need more than generic startup advice,” said LaToya Staten, Executive Director of Fearless Institute, home of Hutch. “They need specialized support navigating the complexity of government contracting, a community of peers who understand their unique challenges, and a network that actively opens doors. That’s exactly what Hutch provides.”
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}The Hutch program is structured to meet the realities of selling into government markets, where procurement processes are complex, compliance requirements are rigorous, and sales cycles can be lengthy. Over the course of nine months, participating founders receive hands-on training in government contracting, pricing, compliance, and public-sector sales. Each company is paired with experienced mentors—many of whom have successfully navigated the same government markets participants are pursuing—while also gaining access to a cohort of peers who serve as collaborators, advisors, and accountability partners.
In addition to structured programming, participants benefit from access to Hutch’s growing alumni network, which actively shares contract opportunities and insights beyond graduation. Founders also receive premium workspace at the Maryland Innovation Center in Howard County, reinforcing Hutch’s emphasis on in-person learning and relationship building.
The 2026 cohort is open to operational businesses between one and seven years old that are generating revenue or have a clear revenue model. Eligible companies must be building technology designed for, or applicable to, government markets and be based in Maryland or the Mid-Atlantic region, or be willing to travel for in-person sessions. Participants are expected to commit to two in-person sessions per month—typically a Friday class session and a Saturday business lab—along with additional time for mentorship, peer collaboration, and implementation. The program investment is $5,000, payable in four installments.
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-2{min-height: 90px;}}Applications for the 2026 Hutch cohort close onFebruary 27, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Interviews will take place in early March, with the cohort announced in mid-March ahead of a late March program start.
To support interested founders, Hutch is hosting two free virtual information sessions onJanuary 23, 2026andFebruary 12, 2026, both at 4:00 p.m. ET. These sessions will provide an overview of the program, expectations, and application process.
“The $2 trillion government market represents a significant opportunity for tech founders, but the path to accessing it isn’t straightforward,” Staten added. “Hutch exists to bridge that gap for founders building technology that serves the public good.”
@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-3{min-height: 90px;}}Founders interested in applying can submit their applications athttps://tools.hutchstudio.io/hutch-cohort-application. Additional information about the program and upcoming information sessions is available athttps://hutchstudio.io.
About HutchHutch cultivates meaningful relationships across the GovTech landscape, creating a vibrant community where entrepreneurs and government agencies come together to solve complex public-sector challenges. Through its nine-month incubator, Hutch provides specialized government contracting expertise, peer community, and strategic mentorship to help civic tech founders scale their businesses and compete successfully in government markets. Hutch is operated by Fearless Institute, the nonprofit arm of Fearless, a digital services company focused on creating technology solutions for the public good.
