CINCINNATI – Lightship Capital announced its expansion to the 16 Tech Innovation District in Downtown Indianapolis today. The 2021 move will be executed as part of a strategy to establish a physical presence in cities throughout the Midwest, creating more opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs in regions typically overlooked by venture capital investors. 
16 Tech is an innovation district in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis. The 50-acre live-work-innovate community is focused on bringing together entrepreneurs, academics, startups, corporations and creatives in a single place to spark the exchange of ideas that leads to innovation.
“We couldn’t be more excited about setting up shop in Indy and becoming a larger force for progress in an already amazing ecosystem” said Brian Brackeen, General Partner Lightship Capital. “Indiana is one of the best states to do business in, and now, with 16 Tech, we have world class facilities to rival any tech campus in the nation. Add the great cost of living and high wages in our industry, and you have a recipe for success for our firms, our investors, and the community at large.”
Lightship Capital will operate out of HqO, 16 Tech’s 100,000 sq. ft. innovation hub set to open in early 2021. The venture studio’s office will be part of the flexible/private office space managed by 1776, a national incubation network and innovation management provider. HqO will be the heart of 16 Tech, boasting a makerspace, as well as an artisan marketplace open to the public.
“We are excited to welcome the Lightship Capital team to Indianapolis and 16 Tech,” said Bob Coy, president and CEO of 16 Tech Community Corporation, the non-profit organization responsible for the development of the 16 Tech Innovation District. “Lightship’s strategic and powerful approach to portfolio building – finding and funding underrepresented entrepreneurs – is key to 16 Tech’s vision of building a diverse and inclusive innovation community.”
Lightship Capital funds founders traditionally overlooked and underfunded by traditional venture capital firms including, BIPOC, LBGTQ+, Women & people with disabilities who operate in the CPG, E-Commerce, Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, and Healthtech spaces.
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About Lightship Capital
Lightship Capital invests in underrepresented entrepreneurs across the Midwest, with a dynamic approach to portfolio building which includes finding & funding the most remarkable, yet overlooked opportunities in venture. They work with companies led by BIPOC, LBGTQ+, Women & people with disabilities who operate in the CPG, E-Commerce, Sustainability, Artificial Intelligence, and Healthtech spaces.
16 Tech
The 16 Tech Innovation District is one of the largest talent attraction, retention and development opportunities in Indianapolis’s history. Located in the historic Riverside neighborhood of Indianapolis, 16 Tech leverages its proximity to top academic, corporate, and healthcare institutions—and a growing network of spaces, programs, and talent—to foster the cross-industry convergence and collaboration that make world-changing innovation possible. The nonprofit 16 Tech Community Corporation oversees the development of the district and ensures benefits of economic growth, new investment and job creation extend to nearby neighborhoods as well as the city, the region and the state. More information can be found at www.16tech.com.
About 1776
1776 is the nation’s largest network of business incubators that cultivates and empowers companies and entrepreneurs to fuel innovation and growth. 1776 transforms markets by curating communities of entrepreneurs and enterprises in flexible work environments. Our members gain access to a dynamic network and focused programming to provide the knowledge and resources necessary to spur innovation and solve complex challenges. With eight campuses across five states, including 16 Tech, we are the nation’s largest network of incubators. For more information, please visit www.1776.vc and follow @1776 on Twitter and @1776vc on Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Vanessa Hill | Director of Communications, Lightship Capital
Phone | [email protected]
Jacqueline Eckhardt | Director of Communications, 16 Tech
614.390.9210 | [email protected]
