When we welcomed the Hutch Class of 2025 in March, we knew this cohort was going to be special. Thirteen founders, each building technology solutions that matter – from cybersecurity frameworks to documentary films shifting narratives, from cloud infrastructure powering government agencies to privacy-first advertising platforms.

But what we didn’t fully anticipate was just how much they’d show up for each other, how deeply they’d lean into the work, and how powerfully they’d demonstrate what happens when socially and economically depressed founders get the ecosystem, expertise, and resources they deserve.

Today, we’re celebrating the Hutch Class of 2025, our largest cohort to date, doubling in size from the previous year. And they didn’t just participate. They showed out.

Building Together, Growing Together

Over nine months, these founders committed to the long game. They logged more than 75 hours in guide mentorship, absorbed over 150 hours of training, and achieved a 93% graduation rate. But the numbers only tell part of the story.

This cohort built a shared social fabric. They became each other’s sounding boards, accountability partners, and champions. They challenged each other to think bigger about market opportunities, to refine their positioning, and to see their businesses not just as ventures, but as vehicles for systemic change and economic mobility.

Twenty percent of this cohort is led by women founders, continuing Hutch’s commitment to creating pathways for those historically excluded from tech entrepreneurship.

Founders Who Are Making Moves

Let’s talk about what these founders have been building:

Taevon Bradley (StraightWay Media) didn’t just create content, he shifted narratives. His documentary More Than Squeegeeing was selected for the Baltimore International Black Film Festival 2025, partnering with the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Mayor’s Office of African American Male Engagement to tell the stories of young men in Baltimore that too often go untold. He also won the Innovation Works Baltimore Storytelling Series, honoring entrepreneurs advancing economic impact. That’s what purposeful storytelling looks like.

Stephanie Bagley (SCB Management Solutions) secured a prime contract with Prince George’s County Public Schools for their Capital Planning System implementation, a one-year project expected to extend over multiple years. Stephanie isn’t just winning contracts; she’s proving that mission-driven businesses can compete at the highest levels.

Angela Hamlin (Hamlin Consulting Services, LLC) shared her expertise on the national stage, presenting her 8-step framework for effective project management at the 2nd Annual Association of Black Women In Project & Program Management conference.

Dr. Willie Sanders Jr. (Pay IT Forward, Inc.) took his mission to close the STEM employment gap globally. He appeared on the “Cyber, Quantum, AI – Oh My” panel at the Maryland Collective Summit in Houston. He also co-wrote Red Teaming 101: A Practical Guide for Beginners, a resource for cybersecurity professionals breaking into the field.

Meet the Class of 2025

Each of these founders is building something that matters:

• Dan Ogbanna (DATASYINC) – Building mission-critical digital infrastructure for public sector teams.
• Claudius Taylor (Gambix) – Designing transformative web and mobile experiences that turn bold ideas into impactful digital products.
• Doric Chandrasekaran (GenY Technologies) – Delivering tailored cloud solutions for efficiency, scalability, and security.
• Angela Hamlin (Hamlin Consulting Services) – Providing proven IT and management consulting solutions to federal and state agencies.
• Tahmeed Rab (Kaizen Solutions Group) – Aligning technology with business goals through advanced cybersecurity and digital transformation.
• Jay Roy (OMNI Technologies) – Solving critical national challenges with cutting-edge AI, cloud computing, and DevSecOps solutions.
• Nneka Hector (Open Pixel) – Elevating online communication through user-first web development.
• Alex Johnson (Optumize) – Delivering AI-powered business automation to streamline operations and accelerate growth.
• Dr. Willie Sanders Jr. (Pay IT Forward, Inc.) – Connecting vetted, diverse STEM talent to employers and helping close the workforce gap.
• James McCoy (Repriv.Ai) – Delivering privacy-first personalized advertising through on-device processing that ensures compliance and user trust.
• Stephanie Bagley (SCB Management Solutions) – Driving measurable change through strategic planning, risk management, and project delivery.
• Christopher Spencer (Spencer Technology Solutions) – Providing tailored software development, QA, cybersecurity, and Agile solutions.
• Taevon Bradley (StraightWay Media) – Crafting purposeful brand stories through creative content and cinematic video production.

What’s Next?

Graduation isn’t goodbye. It’s a new beginning.

These founders are now part of the Hutch ecosystem, a community of 40+ companies that have collectively generated over $90 million in revenue, created 225 jobs, and delivered solutions improving the lives of millions nationwide. They’ll continue to access our network, lean on our expertise, and support the next generation of founders coming through the door.

Because that’s what we believe at Hutch: we’re stronger together. Community over competition, always.

To the Class of 2025: Thank you for trusting us with your journey. Thank you for showing up with intention, for challenging yourselves and each other, and for building businesses that prove technology can be a force for good. We can’t wait to see what you build next.

Want to be part of the next Hutch cohort? Applications for Hutch Class of 2026 are now open. Learn more and apply here.

Looking to support the ecosystem? Sponsor a cohort, become a mentor, or partner with Hutch founders. Get in touch at nlee@fearlessinstitute.org.