New Haven, CT – May 30, 2025 — In a defining moment for music entrepreneurs and creatives everywhere, Loren Jefferson, founder of Six-Figure DJs, brought home the Audience Choice Award for Creative Innovation at the prestigious 2025 Yale Innovation Summit. Her visionary pitch not only captivated a panel of expert judges, it stole the hearts of a global audience.
This year’s summit, hosted at Yale University on May 28–29, welcomed more than 2,500 innovators, investors, and leaders from across 40 states and 20+ countries, with over 150 ventures competing across six dynamic tracks: Arts, Biotech, Climate, Health, Technology, and Civic Impact.
But it was the Arts Track, powered by Midnight Oil Collective, where Loren’s brilliance shined the brightest.
From Bedroom DJ to Industry Disruptor
When Loren Jefferson first began DJ’ing at 17, she was armed with nothing but a second hand DJ Equipment, a fierce passion for music, and an unshakable belief in her future. Over the next two decades, she would hustle her way into elite gigs, spinning for brands like the Food Network, Amazon, Nike, and events from NYC to the Caribbean. But along the way, she noticed a disturbing trend: Most DJs—especially women and DJs of color—were being shut out of consistent, high-paying opportunities.
So she built something different.
Six-Figure DJs is a platform built to disrupt the status quo. Part mentorship hub, part community, part business accelerator, it helps everyday DJs break through the noise, sharpen their skills, and turn their passion into profitable, five and six-figure careers.
Her pitch at the summit made it clear: DJing is not just about talent. It’s about systems, branding, and business acumen. And Six-Figure DJs is leading the movement to teach all three.
“It was amazing to be a part of the Yale Innovation Summit in 2025,” Jefferson said. “I’m so excited that we won. There were so many incredible innovators from all around the world in one space, and I was just honored to share that stage. Thank you to the Arts Track for having me—and to everyone who believed in Six-Figure DJs.”
A Win for Creatives. A Win for the Culture.
The Audience Choice Award for Creative Innovation is more than just a trophy. It’s a signal that the culture is shifting—that communities are hungry for platforms that empower underrepresented creatives, challenge outdated norms, and make space for real change.
Organized by Yale Ventures, the Yale Innovation Summit is known for spotlighting the next wave of world-changing ideas. With $350,000 in prizes awarded and a reach spanning every corner of the globe, the Summit has become a launchpad for bold new ventures—and Loren Jefferson’s win marks a watershed moment for the music and creative industries.
This is just the beginning for Six-Figure DJs. With new programs a new gig generation system, and AI-powered tools on the horizon, the platform is scaling fast—and bringing a wave of DJs with it.
For more on Six-Figure DJs and to join the movement, visit www.SixFigureDJs.com.
