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 Socket Tech Solutions pitching an idea to an audience and judges at the $50,000 Idea Challenge.
Socket Tech Solutions
DifferenceMakers

Developing an open-source software to protect user data privacy.

Socket Tech Solutions is developing an open-source software to protect user data privacy so user’s data does not end up being sold to people who did not get information from the user.
Read More About Socket Tech Solutions 
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 
UMass Lowell Image
OTTOnomous Technology '14
DifferenceMakers

OTTOnomous Technology is a novel solution for replacing camshafts in car engines with electro-mechanical actuators.

OTTOnomous Technology will revolutionize the automobile engine industry.
Read More About OTTOnomous Technology 
The Playtlist team onstage with their honourable mention trophy which includes $2,000 to further develop their project and promote it to local businesses
Playtlist
DifferenceMakers

Playtlist is dedicated to helping those with dietary restrictions work around their food restrictions when eating out.

On average, it takes seventeen minutes for customers with dietary restrictions to find suitable restaurants online.
Read More About Playtlist 
Cameron Edmonds, Matthew Pelland and Jackson Seal pose with their honourable mention prize for SASS at the DifferenceMaker Idea Challenge
SASS
DifferenceMakers

SASS, also known as Solo-Adventurer Safety System, provides reliable GPS tracking and communication with a timed checking system to make sure the adventurer is always safe.

What we aim to address is a safety issue that thousands of outdoor enthusiasts face every day.
Read More About SASS