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

UMass Lowell Image
NerdOnyx '14
DifferenceMakers

NerdOnyx is a web-based learning tool that will provide articles, videos and other resources to enhance the learning of engineering students and help bridge the gap between the classroom and the industry.

DifferenceMaker was valuable in providing us with a platform by which we could get noticed by the public, and provided feedback to refine and further our idea.
Read More About NerdOnyx 
Ariel Shramko headshot
Ariel Shramko '24
Environmental Engineering

Ariel Shramko is growing food for Earth and beyond.

I never thought that I would be able to get this far this soon, but I now truly believe that dreams can come true.
Read More About Ariel Shramko 
DifferenceMaker-Team-WordPro
WordPro '16
DifferenceMakers

WordPro is a vocabulary builder aimed at high school students learning a second language.

We are excited to assist high school students in learning a second language.
Read More About WordPro 
Team TurtleTours posing for a picture with Brian Rist and Holly Lalos after receiving an award..
Turtle Tours
DifferenceMakers

Developing a robot tour guide to solve the problems of understaffing and poor customer service.

TurtleTours is developing a robot tour guide to solve the problems of understaffing and poor customer service.
Read More About Turtle Tours 
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