DifferenceMakerTM is a campus-wide program that engages UMass Lowell students in creative problem solving, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Events

More Events
Jacquie Moloney with Brian and Kim Rist at the opening of the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute

Thank you Kim and Brian Rist '77, Manning School of Business, for supporting the DifferenceMaker Program with a generous contribution and the establishment of the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute.

Teams by the Numbers

  • $10 M

    Raised By Teams

  • 43

    Companies Formed By Teams

  • 16

    Teams Patents Filed or Issued

Student standing on stage at a DifferenceMaker event.

Attend the Francis College of Engineering Prototyping Competition

Join DifferenceMaker in supporting student teams as they pitch their innovative ideas through their prototypes.

Vote for your favorite team to win the Fan Favorite award.

Learn more about the FCoE Prototyping Competition today by visiting the Prototyping Competition webpage.

ThermoEXA sharing their idea at the 2022 DifferenceMaker Idea Challenge

Apply to the 2025 DifferenceMaker $50,000 Idea Challenge

Want to make a difference? Looking to solve a problem through creative problem-solving? 

Apply to the DifferenceMaker $50,000 Idea Challenge. Applications open on December 1st at 5 p.m.

Learn more about the $50,000 Idea Challenge by visiting the Spring Idea Challenge and Events webpage.

Are you a DifferenceMaker?

Do you have an idea? Do you see a problem you want to solve? Do you want to make a difference in your community, or in the world? Do you want to join a team and work with other students? Sound like you?

Get involved with DifferenceMaker:

DifferenceMaker Event Registration

Real-Life DifferenceMakers

Support DifferenceMaker

Gifts at any level make a direct impact on thousands of UMass Lowell students and faculty every day.