Go Big or Go Home! DifferenceMaker at UMass Lowell Spring 2026

I officially submitted my participation request to UMass Lowell’s DifferenceMaker program (By the Rist DifferenceMaker Institute), and I’m excited to use this opportunity to stress-test a real piece of engineering work in a real entrepreneurial environment. DifferenceMaker isn’t just a pitch competition: it’s a structured space to validate ideas, sharpen execution, and learn how technical innovation translates into impact.

In addition I also would like to mention that there is a large benefit of a long phases. This is important when considering that most typical competitions are Hackathons with hour deadlines. The truth is nothing comes groundbreaking and novice (Patent definition) in 24 hours of a comp. With DifferenceMaker you are given adequate time and workshops to learn and better grasp the target.

For me, this submission represents a checkpoint: taking something that started as a systems-level engineering problem and pushing it toward product, users, and long-term viability. Regardless of outcome, the process itself is a win; feedback, iteration, and accountability are exactly what early-stage ideas need to become real.