Stop guessing how to break into government markets. Get the GovCon expertise, founder community, and strategic support you need to win contracts and scale your impact across sectors. Applications open now through close February 27, 2026.

If you're a founder serving government markets—federal, state, local, or education (SLED), you already know:  the opportunity is massive, but the path to winning government contracts isn't straightforward.

You might be: 

• Transitioning from billable consulting hours to a scalable product
• Mission-driven with early traction, searching for product-market fit in government
• A technical founder learning to lead as your team grows
• Proven in commercial markets, ready to enter government sales

What you actually need:

• Government contracting roadmaps (not just theory)
• Peer founders who've faced the same challenges
• Guidance from mentors who've navigated this path before
• A community invested in your success, not just networking

That's exactly what Hutch delivers.

Hutch is cultivating founders who leverage technology to drive systemic change and create economic mobility. We equip entrepreneurs with the ecosystem, expertise, and resources to build resilient, profitable ventures that directly address community challenges turning innovation into tangible economic opportunity.

Program Information:

• Applications Close: February 27, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
• Interviews: Early March 2026
• Cohort Announced: Mid March 2026
• Program Runs: Late March - December 2026
  
• Location: Maryland Innovation Center. Howard County, MD.
• Investment: $5,000 payable in 4 installments

Time Commitment:

• 2 in-person sessions per month (1.5 days) - Friday (Class Session) and Saturday (Business Lab)
• Between sessions: 1-on-1 mentorship, peer collaboration, implementation work
• Expect to dedicate 10-15 hours per month to Hutch activities

Eligibility:

• Operational business (1-7 years, generating revenue or with clear revenue model)
• Building technology for or applicable to federal agencies and SLED (state, local, education) markets
• Based in Maryland or Mid-Atlantic region (or willing to travel for in-person sessions)
• Committed to the full 9-month program

9 months of strategic support built around your business challenges and a lifetime of community access

Brandi Mebane, Owner & Founder of Mebane Design Studio
Hutch Class of 2024

Applications close February 16, 2026

Hutch is for founders who believe:

• Technology should serve the public good, not just private profit
• Economic mobility happens when we build together, not compete alone
• The people closest to community problems build the best solutions

If that sounds like you, we want to meet you.