Vine Technology Solutions is a technology consulting and managed services provider that offers transformative IT solutions, cybersecurity, and cloud services to government organizations, non-profits, and commercial businesses. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Vine Technology Solutions Founder and Principal Donte Lewis to gain a deeper understanding of the company.
Donte Lewis’ Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Lewis said:
“I was a business major and played football at William & Mary. After graduation, I worked at Accenture for a couple of years before moving into a civilian role with the Department of Defense, where I spent about five years. Over the course of my 20+ year career, I became a subject matter expert in tech transformation, often tapped to work with senior government leadership to solve complex modernization and transformation challenges involving numerous business and technical stakeholders. Beyond my professional career, I’ve always had a love for people development and sports. I coached youth and high school basketball for 10 years and still occasionally get greeted with a ‘hey coach’ when I’m out and about.”
Core Products
How did the idea for the company come together? What are its core products and features? Lewis shared:
“I always knew I wanted to be a business owner—the question was never if, but what. Even in college, I wrestled with figuring out the ‘what,’ and it was one of my professors, Lee Scruggs, who gave me valuable advice: follow your passions and it will come. At the time, that advice was frustrating, but over a decade later it resonated when I decided to launch Vine.”
“I ultimately reached a point with my last company where our core values no longer aligned, and I realized I needed to make a change. After searching for the ‘right’ fit and not finding it, I decided to create my own company built on my core values—growth, family, and service—and my passion for people development. That decision was the start of Vine Technology Solutions.”
“When people ask what Vine does, I explain that organizations often want what’s new and next in technology but don’t know how to get there—or how to make the best use of what they already have. We partner with companies to help them achieve their vision, integrating the critical elements of technology, people, and systems. Our work ranges from consulting and technical services to our newest venture: a cloud, AI-based solution that tests and assesses the impact of modernizing and migrating legacy systems.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Lewis noted:
“We started as a services and consulting company, but recently brought on talented software developers to spearhead the development of our cloud, AI-based solution to test and assess modernization and migration impacts. This enables customers to get ahead of modernization challenges and systematically prioritize modernization activities based on critical factors. This marks our evolution from solely providing services and solutions to also offering products. What makes this especially exciting is that we’re building these products with years of consulting experience behind us and a deep understanding of how to integrate with both legacy and modernized infrastructure. Our experience and perspective is particularly valuable for customers within the Department of Defense and beyond.”
Baltimore Advantage
What advantages does the Baltimore region offer your firm and others in tech? Lewis highlighted:
“Baltimore is quickly emerging as a national hub for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence innovation, driven by a highly skilled talent pool, world-class research institutions, and a dynamic startup ecosystem. At the center of this momentum are the region’s universities. Johns Hopkins University offers the nation’s top-ranked cybersecurity program, according to U.S. News & World Report, with state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge virtual classrooms, and courses designed around the latest industry needs. Towson University, a pioneer in the field, was the first institution in Maryland to launch a dedicated cybersecurity program and continues to shape the next generation of experts. Together, these institutions anchor Baltimore’s growing reputation as a leader in innovation and digital security.”
“Baltimore’s location places it within close proximity to key federal cyber assets, including the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters at Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center. Fort Meade serves as a national hub for cybersecurity, hosting more than 120 defense organizations such as the NSA, U.S. Cyber Command, and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Meanwhile, Aberdeen Proving Ground is a premier Army research, development, and testing center, supporting 11 commands and more than 12,500 personnel.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones, and what role has the Baltimore region played in shaping your company’s growth? Lewis cited:
“Our most significant milestones to date include securing two prime contracts with the U.S. Navy. A key driver of our growth and success has been the ability to tap into Baltimore’s incredible talent pipeline. We’ve worked with interns and co-op students in marketing, software development, technical support, and more—often with the support of local programs such as the Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP) and the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, which help subsidize these opportunities. Organizations like the Greater Baltimore Committee, Fort Meade Alliance, AFCEA Central Maryland, and the Maryland Tech Council have also been pivotal. They’ve connected us with the business community, provided a platform for advocacy, and supported our growth in meaningful ways.”
Collaborating With Other Local Startups
How does your company collaborate with other local startups, research institutions, or government partners in the region? Lewis pointed out:
“Much of our government work is team-based, which naturally drives collaboration. We partner with other companies to fill capability gaps and create comprehensive solutions for our customers. It really comes down to relationships—we look for partners whose services complement our own and work together through teams, joint ventures, and partnerships to solve customer challenges.”
Customer Success Stories
Can you share any specific customer success stories? Lewis highlighted:
“One of our biggest successes was developing a comprehensive tech transition plan for a large DoD customer. The scope was massive—hundreds of millions of dollars, numerous stakeholders and large DoD initiatives, as well as significant political, budget, and time constraints. Despite all of this, we were able to deliver a detailed tech transition plan that the customer used to satisfy congressional directives and priorities.”
“On a smaller scale, we helped a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. modernize its systems, policies, and cybersecurity posture. That work allowed them to scale significantly and expand the services they provided to their community, which was incredibly rewarding.”
Revenue
Are you able to discuss revenue metrics? Lewis revealed:
“We are currently on track for a 67% revenue growth increase from 2024.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Lewis assessed:
“The total addressable market for government contractors focused on digital transformation was over $300 billion in 2023, and it’s projected to grow to roughly $500 billion by 2028. Being a relatively small fish in such a vast ocean of opportunity is not a bad place to be.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Lewis affirmed:
“Most tech companies are narrowly focused on technology, which makes it difficult to stand out. Vine takes a different approach—we understand successful transformation requires the integration of technology, people, and systems. Our holistic perspective has proven to drive long-term success. Equally important, we live out our core values of growth, family, and service. We foster a strong sense of community within our company, where employees, consultants, and partners are part of something larger than themselves. Our culture is rare in the tech industry and that makes a significant difference.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals, and how do you see it growing within the Baltimore region’s tech community? Lewis concluded:
“Looking ahead, we want to expand our services to nonprofit organizations and commercial companies. Our experience working with large enterprise government systems positions us well to help these organizations do more with less by leveraging technology. Within the Baltimore region’s tech community, we see this as an opportunity to not only grow our impact but also help strengthen the broader ecosystem.”
