The Southside Bethlehem KIZ is a technology oriented economic development program administered under the umbrella of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. This innovative program has a list of prominent organizations that sit on its board of directors. These organizations were selected based upon their strategic importance to the overall goal of the KIZ program is to foster the growth and cultivation of new ideas and new businesses that will drive regional economic growth and create new opportunities. The primary reasons for partnerships is to provide seed funding to encourage collaboration among faculty, students, and companies within the KIZ and enhance commercialization in the areas of information technology, the life sciences, advanced materials, nanotechnology, optoelectronics and financial services.