WSJ: UC grad among top-10 women venture capitalists
UC economics major serves as general partner at Lightship Capital
The Wall Street Journal named a University of Cincinnati graduate to its top-10 list of women venture capitalists for 2020.
Candice Matthews Brackeen, an economics graduate and Hewitt-Kautz fellow, is a general partner at Lightship Capital, a Cincinnati venture capitalist company dedicated to backing underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Brackeen founded and serves as chief executive officer of Hillman, an entrepreneur education program where she has worked with partners such as Procter & Gamble Co., Kroger and Chase. Hillman recently relocated to the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub, becoming the second startup-related business to relocate its headquarters there. 1819 is strategically located in the heart of Cincinnati’s developing innovation district, a mixed-use development supporting medical, research and innovation industries.
Brackeen started the Cincinnati chapter of the Black Founders Network, which aims to increase diversity and inclusion efforts among entrepreneurs. Previously, she co-founded Hello Parent, which worked with the Brady Campaign to Reduce Gun Violence and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
She was named catalyst of the year by VentureOhio. The Cincinnati Business Courier named her to its list of Women Who Mean Business awards.
Featured image at top: Candice Matthews Brackeen. Photo/Aaron M. Conway
UC graduate Candice Matthews Brackeen was named to the Wall Street Journal's top-10 women venture capitalists of 2020. Photo/Aaron M. Conway
Related Stories
Investing in the minds that shape our skyline
April 6, 2026
In 2002, the City of Cincinnati began the demolition of the 32-year-old Riverfront Stadium. This created a slew of memories for Cincinnati residents who knew the stadium as the home of the “Big Red Machine” baseball dynasty and the place where Cincinnati hosted three World Series Championships. Riverfront Stadium was especially meaningful to its former construction manager, Donald E. Wehmeyer, Eve ’61.
A day of hoops and fun supports families impacted by homelessness
April 6, 2026
CPS All-Star Showcase returned to UC’s Fifth Third Arena, Saturday, April 4, highligting the partnership between Cincinnati Public Schools and the University of Cincinnati. Local media covered the daylong sports event which showcased some Cincinnati's finest high school athletes. Proceeds from the event benefited Project Connect.
What is the 'cicada' COVID variant?
April 6, 2026
A formerly rare strain of COVID, BA.3.2, now is showing up in Ohio and 24 other states. Experts say so far it hasn't caused illness any more severe than other strains, but it might be somewhat more resistant to vaccines, as 91.7 WVXU News recently reported. Scientists have nicknamed the variant "cicada" due to its former low profile and current resurgence.