Last night, three Northern Kentucky startups were among the 22 companies recognized by KY Inno’s statewide listing of “Startups to Watch” in 2025. In addition to their NKY roots, one thing all three firms have in common is that later this year they will relocate their operations to SparkHaus, the region’s highly-anticipated entrepreneurship hub.
The startups – BeyondWill, Builder Backed and Sunflower Fuels – represent a diverse range of industries, from estate planning to sustainable energy, and are collectively helping to shape Northern Kentucky’s reputation as a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs. Their decision to base their operations at SparkHaus underscores the hub’s mission to provide top-level resources, mentorship and a collaborative environment for the region’s brightest minds.
They join eGateway Capital, Kentucky’s largest venture capital firm, as SparkHaus’ first named tenants. Also joining them is fellow NKY startup Better Blend, which will occupy the ground-floor cafe within SparkHaus.
“Having three of the most promising startups in Kentucky among the first to raise their hand and commit to locating in SparkHaus is a testament to the value they see in our collaborative and innovation-driven space,” Dave Knox, executive director of Blue North, said. “These teams recognize the power of connection, shared resources and the creative energy that comes from working alongside other visionary leaders. We’re thrilled to welcome them to SparkHaus later this year and know they’ll be fantastic champions for our mission to create an environment where ideas can bloom and companies can ignite.”
BeyondWill is a modern estate planning platform built to create, manage and keep estate plans up to date. Unlike traditional estate planning, which is static and paper-based, BeyondWill leverages technology to ensure plans adapt to life’s changes; whether it’s welcoming a new family member, changing jobs, or purchasing a new home and much more. Our mission is to make estate planning accessible, dynamic, and collaborative.
“We’re moving to SparkHaus in Covington because it’s more than just an office space,” Justin Deja, CEO and co-founder of BeyondWill, said. “It’s an up-and-coming hub for creativity, collaboration and innovation. Being in the heart of Covington allows us to connect with a vibrant community while positioning BeyondWill for growth in an inspiring environment. It’s the perfect place to take our mission to the next level.”
Builder Backed is a technology-driven startup focused on simplifying homeownership by providing a digital platform connecting homeowners with a curated network of service providers for tasks including maintenance, repairs and improvements. The company hit a milestone in 2024 when it announced a strategic partnership with Erlanger-based Fischer Homes, the nation’s 30th-largest homebuilder, to expand its technology to all Fischer homeowners in Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Louisville.
“I believe that innovation compounds and refines when surrounded by innovators,” Paul Koop, CEO and co-founder of Builder Backer, said. “Being around and interacting with growth-minded individuals will expand our team’s minds and refine our approaches, and with SparkHaus, we’ll have the ability to have this happen organically, which I find incredibly valuable.”
Sunflower Fuels develops bioenergy feedstock crops and is introducing the sustainable energy crop Miscanthus x giganteus to Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. With a network of end users, processors, and experts, Sunflower aims to support initial markets like renewable food packaging and animal bedding while positioning for future demand in bioenergy, biodiesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. As feedstock supply shortages grow, Sunflower Fuels is tackling this critical challenge with a forward-looking solution.
“We are a brand-new company, and Kentucky is our home,” Gabrielle Blocher, CEO of Sunflower Fuels, said. “For the first time, we are building out a team, and we need a place for our new team members to work together and collaborate. We are so excited to find a location that will provide just that, co-locate us with our investors and keep us close to partners, prospective employees and prospective customers. This is a huge transition point for us as a company, and SparkHaus is the absolute perfect home for this moment.”
Currently under construction in the heart of Covington, SparkHaus is the result of a partnership between Kenton County, the Northern Kentucky Port Authority and Blue North to give Northern Kentucky’s entrepreneurs a one-stop shop where they can access the resources they need to create our next community-changing company. Once complete, it’s anticipated between 200 and 300 people will use the space daily.
Construction on the project began in late-September and is being spearheaded by Urban Sites. City Studio is serving as the project’s architect.
The $16 million project has received financial support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Catalytic Fund, the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile Foundation, the Drees Home Foundation, Ried Schott, Corporex Cos., St. Elizabeth Healthcare, the R.C. Durr Foundation, the Milburn Family Foundation, the Duke Energy Urban Revitalization Initiative, Fischer Homes and John Cain.
SparkHaus is expected to open in late-summer 2025.