Create your own path. Be the driver of your future career. Combine your passion for creativity or desire to create change with your work in the classroom. Inspire others with your creative work or solutions to real world problems.

What are entrepreneurial and creative endeavors?

Students learn to set their own course by having experiences in early stage start-ups, advancing ideas to solve real world problems, or create artistic, written or performance-based projects. 

DifferenceMakers By the Numbers

  • $5M
    raised by teams
  • 40
    companies formed by teams
  • 11
    Number of teams patents filed or issued

Meet the DifferenceMakers

Tatiana Tompkins, Conrad Nelson and Jenna Olander hold their Honorable Mention award for Protected Pin with Holly Butler
Protected Pin
DifferenceMakers

Protected Pin is a software that randomly generates a new user PIN each time the banking app is accessed, creating safety and security for each user.

Our mission is to better protect all bankers by eliminating 100% of ATM card theft while also adding major convenience to their trip.
Read More About Protected Pin 
MyGrow Fabrix logo
Mygrow Fabrix
DifferenceMakers

A functional textile fabric company, which is eco-friendly and will assist in agricultural and horticultural means.

Mygrow Fabrix is develop a multi-functional bio-composite textile vessel that improves growth and increases yield.
Read More About Mygrow Fabrix 
UMass Lowell Image
Grab a Bite '13
DifferenceMakers

Grab a Bite received "Fan Favorite" at the Inaugural DifferenceMaker Idea Challenge, pushing them to the final round where they won the title “First to Market” and were awarded $3,500 by the panel of judges.

Grab a Bite provides customers with a free mobile and web platform that allows users to discover and connect with local restaurants.
Read More About Grab a Bite 
QBell is a mobile application that improves upon the current nursing call bell system.
QBell
DifferenceMakers

QBell is a mobile application that improves upon the current nursing call bell system.

QBell intends to decrease nurse fatigue all the while increasing patient safety and patient satisfaction.
Read More About QBell 
Team Smart Azan holding the 2023 Jack M. Wilson First to Market Award.
Smart Azan
DifferenceMakers

App that keeps track and notifies Muslims when it is time to pray.

Smart Azan is an app that keeps track and notifies Muslims when it is time to pray.
Read More About Smart Azan