Fearless launched its own incubator program for early-stage companies

Fearless has gotten support from a number of local resources and mentors over the past decade. Now, the Spark Baltimore-based digital services firm is offering a program that supports other young companies, too.

This year, the company launched the Fearless Business Incubator with a cohort of six companies in areas include design, data technology services and consulting as well as tech talent.

Earlier this year we started the Fearless Business Incubator Program to support early-stage companies in Baltimore.

Why? We want to pay it forward. So many people helped us along the way and we want to return the favor. We rise by lifting others.https://t.co/APhyZv4ARv pic.twitter.com/e0zUlGm5LP

— Fearless (@fearlessbmore) May 15, 2019

On the idea that businesses can grow with close proximity to concentrated resources and other likeminded companies, we’ve seen plenty of incubators spring up with the support of nonprofits and community leaders. The Fearless incubator shows that growing companies are beginning to offer such programming, too.

Fearless started inside the bwtech@UMBC incubator in Catonsville before moving to the downtown Baltimore space in 2015 , where its office recently expanded. It’s also taken a role in helping other small businesses through its work nationally with the DoD Mentor Protégé Program and SBA.gov.

In a blog post, the company called the in-house program “a natural next step for us to mentor companies in-house so that we can work with them in the future.” The company started the incubator as it seeks out more like-minded firms, and to grow more tech companies in the city.

“We needed to find more partners that were interested in the same kind of work and culture that we are, so decided it was up to us to grow some,” the post states.

Fearless has also shown leadership in organizing and giving back to Baltimore, and so companies that participate in the incubator are each also committed to investing time and energy in the city.

Over 12 months, the incubator programming includes an all-day session each month on an aspect of building a business, such as brand, finance and contracting. Then incubator members apply the tools and resources as they grow.

Here’s a look at the companies involved:

• INSHIFT — Shanda Wilson owns the technology consulting firm, which specializes in software development, data science and DevOps support to government agencies.
• MASTERMND — Aaron Brooks created the company focused on the technical talent pipeline, which focuses around community engagement, cultivating skills and working with companies.
• Saber — Claudia DeCarlo leads the firm, which is working to help companies use data to inform decision making.
• UpLight — Koffi Harrison founded the project and program management firm.
• XCell — Felix Gilbert leads the digital agency, which creates platforms for government and nonprofits.
• Ey3 Technologies — Led by Summer Bazemore and Terry Bazemore Jr., the company provides technical assistance in systems engineering and cybersecurity services.