Signature program helps turn students into successful entrepreneurs

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

10/05/2021

The DifferenceMaker program has provided training, mentoring and other resources to UMass Lowell student entrepreneurs who wish to address social, environmental and economic problems in the community and world. DifferenceMaker works with students to solve their problems and make their ideas into realities. Even if students don't have ideas, they can still get involved!

Thanks to the support of the university and benefactors Kim and Brian Rist '77, $5 million has been raised by teams who have formed 40 different companies and filed for or been issued 11 patents.

DifferenceMaker by the Numbers

  • $5 Million

    Raised By teams

  • $527,800

    Awarded to students

  • 60,000+

    Students reached

These Teams Take it to the Bank

DifferenceMaker has spawned 40 companies in the past 10 years. Here are some of their success stories. Meet more DM Teams.
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