The Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Fund (NKYEF) is a collaborative funding initiative designed to help early-stage businesses take their next big step, whether moving from concept to launch or scaling to meet new demand. Established in 2023 through a partnership between Blue North and Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky, NKYEF bridges a critical funding gap for local entrepreneurs, providing non-dilutive grants alongside strategic support, mentorship, and connections. To date, NKYEF and Main Street Ventures have invested over $500,000 in 42 Northern Kentucky entrepreneurs, nurturing innovations across food, beverage, retail, tech, and more. Fund recipients also tap into Blue North’s network of traction advisors, corporate partners, and educational programs, including creative fundraising collaborations like The Entrepreneurial Spark, a limited-edition bourbon produced with New Riff Distilling that channels proceeds directly into NKYEF grants.

NKYEF exists to foster innovation, create jobs, and build a resilient regional economy by empowering Northern Kentucky’s most promising entrepreneurs. By targeting early-stage businesses with high growth potential, the fund fuels the creation of locally rooted companies that scale beyond the region, attracting investment, creating employment, and contributing to the community’s long-term vitality. The Northern Kentucky Entrepreneur Fund is made possible through the support of regional economic development partners, private contributors, and aligned organizations committed to fostering innovation. This collaborative funding model ensures that the impact of each investment extends beyond individual companies, strengthening the entrepreneurial fabric of the community. The mission of NKYEF is to empower high-potential entrepreneurs to create sustainable, locally rooted businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to the region’s long-term economic vitality. Through strategic partnerships, responsive funding, and founder-first support, the Northern Kentucky Entrepreneurship Fund is turning local ambition into lasting impact, one grant and one success story at a time.