From capital to community: SparkHaus is powering the growing entrepreneurial scene

The redevelopment of the former Sims Furniture building in Covington has become more than a restoration project. Through a mix of public funding, private investment, and entrepreneurial collaboration, the new SparkHaus space on Madison Avenue is emerging as the hub of Northern Kentucky’s growing venture capital and startup network.

With support from Kenton County, Blue North, and the Northern Kentucky Port Authority, the once-vacant property has been transformed into a shared space designed to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. It represents a regional shift toward building an ecosystem where capital and community work hand in hand, something that the area underperformed against other national comparison regions, according to a recent report from BE NKY Growth Partnership.

Spearheading the effort to boost the support for local entrepreneurs is Blue North, an innovation hub that fosters collaboration between startups, creatives, and investors, led by executive director, Dave Knox.

“With Kenton County’s support, we were able to actually acquire the old Sims Furniture building,” said Dave Knox. “It was originally built in 1929 as a Montgomery Ward department store and is historic to the area. So, that support … was the massive unlock for the project.”

That acquisition was the catalyst for what became a $17 million redevelopment effort. The project gained additional traction during the 2024 Kentucky legislative session, when Senator Chris McDaniel helped secure a $6 million line-item allocation for SparkHaus. That state-level support inspired roughly$3 million in donations from local foundations, corporations, and entrepreneurs, creating the capital stack needed to move the project forward.

“The importance is that entrepreneurs have a space specifically for them,” Knox said. “The impetus was a need to work, breathe, and grow in a space designed for entrepreneurs.”

For Blue North, the space is not just about desks and offices. It is about proximity and bringing together venture capital firms like eGateway Capital and the founders they support. Having investors within the same walls as entrepreneurs allows for mentorship, early funding opportunities, and a steady exchange of ideas that often define successful startup ecosystems.

“There is a growing need for collaboration for entrepreneurs in venture-backed startups,” Knox said.

SparkHaus fulfills that need by creating a professional yet accessible environment for early-stage companies that may not be ready to lease or buy large office space. Instead, they can operate alongside investors and other founders, surrounded by the resources that help businesses thrive.

The collaboration between public entities and the private sector made the project possible. Kenton County recognized both the community and economic benefits of redeveloping a long-vacant downtown property, while the Northern Kentucky Port Authority helped coordinate the process. Blue North provided entrepreneurial leadership, shaping SparkHaus as more than just a building but a catalyst for growth.

Blue North has helped shape SparkHaus as a cornerstone for venture-backed startups in the region. The organization provides programming, mentorship, and events that connect investors with local founders, strengthening Northern Kentucky’s startup pipeline.

By linking capital, collaboration, and community under one roof, SparkHaus represents a new chapter for the region’s entrepreneurial landscape. With a physical space and a network of startups and support services, SparkHaus will continue to empower innovators and bring them to Northern Kentucky.