Do you have an idea? Are you interested in pursuing that idea and learning more about how DifferenceMaker can help you? View and utilize the DifferenceMaker workshop resources below.

Idea Challenge Materials

  • 2017 Idea Plan: Please log into the Manage your TeamMaker page and click on the "Start Idea Plan" link for your project.
  • Poster Template: use this template to make your project poster
  • Teams Poster Examples from Past Idea Challenges:
  • Rocket Pitch Template (pdf). This will help you develop your 5 minute rocket pitch
  • 2017 Toolkit Questionnaire Worksheet (email: DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template). This packet will walk you through each step of developing your idea and Idea Plan

2017 Kickoff Idea Hack Event

2017 Workshop Materials

Identifying Problems: Workshop 1

  • Presentation (pdf)
  • Video
  • 2017 Toolkit Questionnaire Worksheet (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template). This will walk you through each step of developing your idea
  • 2017 Idea Plan: Please log into the Manage your TeamMaker page and click on the "Start Idea Plan" link for your project. Please complete and submit your Idea Plan by 5 p.m. on March 6, 2017.

Assessing Opportunities and Value Proposition: Workshop 2

Developing Business Models: Workshop 3

Delivering your Rocket Pitch: Workshop 4

Previous Year's Resources

Resources from previous years are also available.

Idea Challenge Materials

2016 Kickoff Idea Hack Event

2016 Workshop Materials

Were you unable to attend a workshop? Do you need assistance through the Idea Challenge process? Please see our 2016 workshop materials for help in preparing your Idea Plan and Rocket Pitch for the 2016 Idea Challenge.

Identifying Problems: Workshop 1

Assessing Opportunities and Value Propositions: Workshop 2

  • Presentation (pdf)
  • Video
  • Customer Interview Tips (pdf). This tips will help you interview your customers and gather data from your target market.

Developing Business Models: Workshop 3

Delivering your Rocket Pitch: Workshop 4

Idea Challenge Materials

2015 Kickoff Hack Idea Event

2015 Workshop Materials

Were you unable to attend a workshop? Do you need assistance through the Idea Challenge process? Please see our 2015 workshop materials.

Identifying Problems: Workshop 1

Assessing Opportunities and Value Propositions: Workshop 2

Developing Business Models: Workshop 3

Delivering your Rocket Pitch: Workshop 4

2014 E-Portfolio

2014 Idea Plan and Judging Process

2014 Workshop Materials

Were you unable to attend a workshop? Do you need assistance through the Idea Challenge process? Please see our 2014 workshop materials.

Identifying Problems and Team Building Mixer: Workshop 1

Assessing Opportunities: Workshop 2

Developing Solutions: Workshop 3

Identifying Resources: Workshop 4


2013 Workshop Materials

View the following workshops from 2013 to learn more and to see what they are all about!

Team Building Mixer: Workshop 1

Identifying Problems and Opportunities: Workshop 2

Developing Solutions: Workshop 3

Identifying Resources: Workshop 4

Other Resources

University Innovation

University Innovation was created by students, for students for all things related to Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship on U.S. college campuses. Create an account today and begin contributing to this growing and valuable resource by sharing what's going on at your campus! Interested? Learn more and create an account today!

Other Helpful Resources

View the links below to learn more about problems, opportunities, solutions and resources which are discussed in greater detail at the workshop events.

Solving Problems

Identifying Opportunities

Students' Solutions

Identifying Resources

Other