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

 Pat Cusanelli, Shane Lavoie and Jack Nealon onstage with Steve Tello, Holly Butler and their “Contribution to a Healthier Lifestyle” category award that comes with a $4,500 prize they will use to expand Mass Heartbeat
Mass Heartbeat
DifferenceMakers

Mass Heartbeat is an organization focused on screening children and young adults for heart conditions and anomalies to ensure they seek treatment before any undiscovered issues occur.

We’ve been on an eight-year journey since the three of us lost a dear friend due to sudden cardiac arrest.
Read More About Mass Heartbeat 
UMass Lowell Image
Love of the Game '15
DifferenceMakers

Love of the Game will unite universities and people with physical and cognitive disabilities through sports.

Our non-profit will help engage people of disabilities through fun sports activities.
Read More About Love of the Game 
Jonathan Aguilar talking with two students at a desk
Jonathan Aguilar '21
Mechanical Engineering

Jonathan Aguilar ’21 started a 3D printing company as an undergrad that he now runs at the Haverhill Innovation Hub.

It feels great to be able to apply what I learned in school in the real world.
Read More About Jonathan Aguilar 
One of the members Vital Sensing Patch speaking at a podium.
Vital Sensing Patch
DifferenceMakers

The Vital Sensing Patch is a remote, all in one vitals monitoring device, that will be affordable to consumers and usable from anywhere.

Vital Sensing Patch will monitor people’s vitals from anywhere.
Read More About Vital Sensing Patch 
One of the members Tendren team holding a microphone and speaking in front of blue UMass Lowell backdrop as 2 other members look on.
Tendren
DifferenceMakers

Tendren is a wristband that monitors a patient's vitals while they are in the hospital waiting room.

Tendren is a safety device that will be used in all hospital waiting rooms.
Read More About Tendren