Starting as a curious problem solver and now a trailblazer in the hackathon space, Audrey Chen a student at Michigan State University has turned her passion for innovation into a mission to empower others. As the co-founder of Nosu, an AI-driven platform transforming the hackathon experience, Audrey’s story is one of creativity, resilience, and community-building.
Her Origin: A Passion for Problem-Solving
“Hackathons are more than just coding events,” Audrey says. “They’re spaces where anyone, technical or non-technical, can create solutions to meaningful problems.” For Audrey, hackathons became a playground for exploration and collaboration, sparking a love for innovation that shaped her career. With 21 hackathon wins under her belt at prestigious institutions like Princeton and UPenn, alongside roles at Intel and NASA USRC, Audrey’s achievements speak volumes. But her journey wasn’t just about personal success; it was about inspiring others to explore their potential.
A Creative Beginning
At 10 years old, Audrey imagined herself as a musician or artist, constantly exploring new creative avenues. “I was always playing violin,” she recalls. She even released an indie song, Strawberry Girl, that reached 140,000 streams on Spotify under the artist name JIA seed. Though her career trajectory shifted, her roots in creativity remain evident in her approach to problem-solving and leadership.
The Birth of Nosu
Nosu was born from Audrey’s firsthand experience and the demands of her growing community. With over 2,000 Instagram comments asking how to join hackathons, she realized accessibility was a significant barrier. As a hackathon organizer, she also saw inefficiencies in legacy platforms like Devpost.
“Nosu simplifies hosting and participation through AI,” she explains. “In three years, I see Nosu as the central platform for 5 million organizers and 20 million builders, inspiring groundbreaking projects worldwide.”
Launching Nosu in a single day, Audrey harnessed community momentum to gather real-world feedback quickly. This rapid launch exemplifies her focus on iterating rapidly to solve actual pain points.
Empowering People Around the World
Audrey’s proudest accomplishment isn’t her $75,700 in funding, which she acknowledges as a significant achievement. It’s the 2,000 developers she’s empowered in just six weeks. Through Nosu-hosted hackathons, participants created 400 unique projects, many of which led to startups, job offers, and newfound confidence.
“It’s rewarding to know my work has directly impacted so many lives,” she shares. Her success stems from strategic collaborations with 42 sponsors (including YC startups and IPOs) and leveraging social media to reach over 2 million people across just 20 posts, driving massive engagement. She also highlights her team’s focus on building a platform that is intuitive and AI-powered as a key part of Nosu’s impact.
A Vision for Community and Growth
Audrey’s leadership is centered on building confidence and community. “Leadership is about empowering others to become leaders themselves,” she reflects. Her Instagram, followed by over 60,000 people (@jia.seed), aims to inspire and demystify the tech world for newcomers and veterans alike.
Advice for Students and Dreamers
To students standing where she once stood, Audrey’s advice is clear: “Don’t wait for permission to start. Whether it’s joining a hackathon, launching a project, or building a community, take the first step. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and remember that every expert was once a beginner.” She credits much of her success to her co-founder, Aiden Gollan, a fellow Michigan State University student. This partnership underscores Audrey’s intentional approach to surrounding herself with individuals who inspire and elevate her journey.
Looking Ahead
Audrey’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. With Nosu’s rapid growth and her unwavering commitment to empowering others, Audrey continues to pave the way for the next generation of builders and innovators. As she looks to the future, her story reminds us all that leadership begins with a single step toward making an impact. We at Zation can’t wait to see all she accomplishes in the future.
Inspired by Audrey's story? Join our growing network of student leaders making a difference! Your story could be next.
