Edison Qu, 20
Edison Qu - From Hackathon Idea to $10M+ Funded Venture
Edison Qu (Class of ’25)'s journey is a compelling example of how hackathon experiences can evolve into real-world ventures, turning weekend innovations into venture capital-backed startups with millions in funding. The idea behind Sapien emerged from a realization during a hackathon—combining data labeling with digital assets could unlock a vast, untapped market of data labelers.
Driven by his passion for learning and competition, Edison attended his first hackathon at JAMHacks 6, where he learned to code alongside teammates who would become lifelong friends and trusted hackathon partners. Together, they competed in and won over 30 hackathons, sharpening skills not only essential for great hacking but also foundational for entrepreneurship.
Beyond entrepreneurial accomplishments, Edison is a dedicated community builder guided by a sense of mission and remembrance. His introduction to hackathons came from his close friend Andrew Shao, who tragically passed away in 2021 while serving as co-president of Ignition Hacks. Honoring his friend's memory and legacy, Edison stepped into the leadership role the following year and grew Ignition Hacks into Canada's largest high school hackathon at the time, attracting over 500 participants.
Today, as co-president of Hack Western, Edison continues to foster impactful opportunities for young innovators and aspiring hackers. His commitment to giving back stems from deep personal gratitude; having once been sponsored himself to attend an international hackathon, he strives to ensure similar transformative experiences are accessible to others.
Quick Facts
Edison Qu, 20
Edison Qu - From Hackathon Idea to $10M+ Funded Venture
Edison Qu (Class of ’25)'s journey is a compelling example of how hackathon experiences can evolve into real-world ventures, turning weekend innovations into venture capital-backed startups with millions in funding. The idea behind Sapien emerged from a realization during a hackathon—combining data labeling with digital assets could unlock a vast, untapped market of data labelers.
Driven by his passion for learning and competition, Edison attended his first hackathon at JAMHacks 6, where he learned to code alongside teammates who would become lifelong friends and trusted hackathon partners. Together, they competed in and won over 30 hackathons, sharpening skills not only essential for great hacking but also foundational for entrepreneurship.
Beyond entrepreneurial accomplishments, Edison is a dedicated community builder guided by a sense of mission and remembrance. His introduction to hackathons came from his close friend Andrew Shao, who tragically passed away in 2021 while serving as co-president of Ignition Hacks. Honoring his friend's memory and legacy, Edison stepped into the leadership role the following year and grew Ignition Hacks into Canada's largest high school hackathon at the time, attracting over 500 participants.
Today, as co-president of Hack Western, Edison continues to foster impactful opportunities for young innovators and aspiring hackers. His commitment to giving back stems from deep personal gratitude; having once been sponsored himself to attend an international hackathon, he strives to ensure similar transformative experiences are accessible to others.
