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

Team SparkCell Technologies pitching an idea to the audience and judges at the $50K Idea Challenge.
SparkCell Technologies
DifferenceMakers

Developing a way to use uses high-voltage plasma to find contaminants using spectroscopy.

SparkCell Technologies is using high-voltage plasma to find contaminants using spectroscopy.
Read More About SparkCell Technologies 
Team Rent Scoop holding the 2023 Sutherland Innovative Technology Solution Award.
Rent Scoop
DifferenceMakers

Taking the challenge out of finding the correct information regarding rent in your area.

Rent Scoop is developing an online platform that serves as a database for new renters
Read More About Rent Scoop 
Team Shared Vision/Vision House smiling with their DifferenceMaker idea poster.
Shared Vision / Vision House
DifferenceMakers

Empowering the filmmakers of tomorrow by educating them through real-world experiences.

Team Share Vision/Vision House will provide opportunities for hands-on technical training, educational courses to improve media literacy skills, and digital resources to help develop creative potential.
Read More About Shared Vision / Vision House 
UMass Lowell Image
Playable Therapy '15
DifferenceMakers

Playable Therapy connects video games and physical therapy.

Our platform will help both PTs and patients.
Read More About Playable Therapy 
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