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:
- Nonspec (formerly known as Developing Nations Prosthetic)
- Healthy Habits
- III Point Stik (formerly known as Tactile Feedback)
- 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
- Presentation (pdf)
- Video
Developing Business Models: Workshop 3
Delivering your Rocket Pitch: Workshop 4Previous Year's Resources
Resources from previous years are also available.
Idea Challenge Materials
- 2016 Idea Plan: Submit Online
- Poster Template Use this template to make your project poster
- Teams Poster Examples from Past Idea Challenges:
- Nonspec (formerly known as Developing Nations Prosthetic,
- Healthy Habits,
- III Point Stik (formerly known as Tactile Feedback)
- Rocket Pitch Template (pdf). This will help you develop your 5-minute rocket pitch
- 2016 Toolkit (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template). This packet will walk you through each step of developing your idea and Idea Plan
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
- Presentation (pdf)
- 2016 Toolkit (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template). This will walk you through each step of developing your idea
- Video
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
- Presentation (pdf)
- Video
- Business Model Canvas (pdf)
Delivering your Rocket Pitch: Workshop 4
- Presentation (pdf)
- Video
- Rocket Pitch Template pdf). This will help you develop your 5 minute rocket pitch
- Next Steps (pdf)
Idea Challenge Materials
- Poster Template Use this template to make your project poster
- Teams Poster Examples from Past Idea Challenges:
- Nonspec (formerly known as Developing Nations Prosthetic,
- Healthy Habits,
- III Point Stik (formerly known as Tactile Feedback)
- Rocket Pitch Sample Presentation (pdf). This will help you develop your 5 minute rocket pitch
- 2015 Toolkit (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template). This will walk you through each step of developing your idea and Idea Plan
- 2015 Idea Plan Template. This document is to be submitted online by 5 p.m. on March 2, 2015. Please log in with student credentials
- 2015 Idea Plan Score Sheet (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template). This document displays what the judges will look for when scoring your projects Idea Plan
- Lean Canvas for DifferenceMaker (pdf).
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
- Presentation (pdf)
- 2015 Toolkit (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template).. This will walk you through each step of developing your idea
- Video
Assessing Opportunities and Value Propositions: Workshop 2
Developing Business Models: Workshop 3
- Presentation (pdf)
- Business Model Canvas (pdf)
- Video
Delivering your Rocket Pitch: Workshop 4
- Presentation (pdf)
- Poster Template Use this template to make your project poster
- Teams Poster Examples from Past Idea Challenges: Nonspec (formerly known as Developing Nations Prosthetic, Healthy Habits, III Point Stik (formerly known as Tactile Feedback)
- Video
2014 E-Portfolio
2014 Idea Plan and Judging Process
- Submission Materials and Judging Process (pdf)
- Idea Plan Template (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template).
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
- Presentation (ppt)
- 2014 Toolkit (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template).
- Video
Assessing Opportunities: Workshop 2
- Presentation (ppt)
- Video
Developing Solutions: Workshop 3
- Presentation (ppt)
- Business Model Canvas (pdf)
- Video
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
- Presentation (ppt)
- Video
Identifying Problems and Opportunities: Workshop 2
- Presentation (ppt)
- Rocket Pitch Presentation (ppt)
- 2013 Toolkit (email DifferenceMaker@uml.edu for template).
- Market Research Instructions (pdf)
- Video
Developing Solutions: Workshop 3
- Presentation (ppt)
- Business Model Template (pdf)
- Video
Identifying Resources: Workshop 4
- Presentation (ppt)
- Practice Budget (xls)
- Video
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
- 9 steps to effective business problem solving
- A creative problem-solving process
- Social entrepreneurship: Harnessing the market to solve world problems
- Ashton Kutcher: Entrepreneurship is about solving problems, not fame or money
Identifying Opportunities
- IBISWorld: The world's largest provider of industry-based research
- Customer Interview Tips (pdf). These tips will help you interview your customers and gather data from your target market.
Students' Solutions
- Students show off their solutions to world problems at Google Fair
- Video: UMass Lowell student solutions that make a difference
- Video: Impact: Sustainable students making a difference
Identifying Resources
- NCIIA: Funding and training student technology innovators
- Guidance through Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center
- Arizona State Change Maker Competition
- Other student challenges
Other
Quick Links