The members of LVEDC’s Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurial Council are creating projects, jobs and revenue for Lehigh Valley.

Entrepreneurs play a significant role in local economy. LVEDC is happy to roll up our sleeves and provide promotion and assistance to our partners who are driven to advancing innovation, the development of start-up businesses, and good old entrepreneurship throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties.

During the ITE Council’s May 8 meeting, members provided these updates:

• The Allentown Economic Development Corporation announced a pair of companies will be moving in shortly – Gonzo Pockets, which manufactures specialized mesh for lacrosse stick heads using a proprietary rubberized coating, in June followed by Hijinx Brewing Company in July. The latter’s 10-barrel brewing system is expected to be in the Bridgeworks Enterprise Center by June 1.
• The Baker Institute for Technology at Lehigh University announced a new accelerator at its Mountaintop Campus. In other news, the recent Mini Maker Faire was a grand success as some 5,500 guests celebrated making, hacking, brewing, cooking, art, culture, creativity and technology at the SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
• The Keystone Innovation Zone, which is still working through its transition from LVEDC, is funding $90,000 worth of startup companies and $40,000 in internships. KIZ success story EcoTech Marine is ready to provide startups with money, a council rep indicated.
• Ben Franklin Technology Partners reported that its annual I Xchange drew more than 500 people to Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center. The council rep also noted that Ben Franklin currently hosts about 38 fledgling companies in its incubator network.
• Lehigh Valley Tech,a group that’s geared for Lehigh Valley startups, entrepreneurs, hackers and technology enthusiasts to share and demo what they are working on, welcomed 18 great projects at the annual Hackathon in April. The group that frequently rolls out roaming meet-ups and plans a family night at the DaVinci Science Center next month.
• The City of Easton is offering flex space for businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. The board rep revealed the city has received $300,000 in grant money for startup projects. In other news, the renovation of the sprawling Silk Mill building is coming together.
• The Fab Lab at Northampton Community Collegehas been a hub of activity over the past six months. Many changes are taking place. New tools and classes are sold out. A fifth expansion is expected shortly. Our friends at Martin Guitars are sending some of their employees to the Fab Lab to receive 3D training.

LVEDC liaison Dawn Ferrante said the ITE council provides strategic guidance on the development of the regional innovation ecosystem. Its goal is to support Lehigh Valley’s progressive startup community.

For more information on the ITE council, you can contact Ferrante, LVEDC’s director of regional competitiveness, at dferrante@lehighvalley.org or (610) 266-6633.