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

Tatiana Tompkins, Conrad Nelson and Jenna Olander hold their Honorable Mention award for Protected Pin with Holly Butler
Protected Pin
DifferenceMakers

Protected Pin is a software that randomly generates a new user PIN each time the banking app is accessed, creating safety and security for each user.

Our mission is to better protect all bankers by eliminating 100% of ATM card theft while also adding major convenience to their trip.
Read More About Protected Pin 
One of the members AMARA team holding a microphone and speaking in front of blue UMass Lowell backdrop.
Amara
DifferenceMakers

Seeking to solve the problem around social media and the mental health crisis.

Amara is seeking to solve the problem around social media and the mental health crisis.
Read More About Amara 
Team Quick Release Window Bars talking with a professor about their DifferenceMaker idea.
Quick Release Window Bars
DifferenceMakers

An affordable device that integrates with permanently mounted security window bars, allowing removal in an emergency.

Quick Release Window Bars is developing an affordable device to integrates with permanently mounted security window bars, allowing for removal in an emergency.
Read More About Quick Release Window Bars 
Operation250 is an online platform consisting of an educational website, engaging videos and a large social media presence, focused on educating both young adolescents, parents and educators on how to prevent radical extremist recruitment.
Operation250
DifferenceMakers

Operation250 is an online platform consisting of an educational website, engaging videos and a large social media presence, focused on educating both young adolescents, parents and educators on how to prevent radical extremist recruitment.

Operation250 aims to give students a better understanding about terrorism and online safety.
Read More About Operation250 
DifferenceMaker-SmartEater-Team
SmartEater '16
DifferenceMakers

SmartEater is an Automated Diet Monitoring (ADM) System designed to help people manage their dietary behavior.

SmartEater helps people manage their diet behaviors.
Read More About SmartEater