“From Hackathons to Blockchain Innovation”
In the fast-paced world of technology, few innovators bridge the gap between software engineering and emerging Web3 trends as effectively as Nico Stranquist. From his early days writing for his high school newspaper in St. Louis to founding MetaTeds and contributing to blockchain and NFT platforms, Stranquist’s journey showcases a rare blend of technical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and creative vision.
Today, he stands at the forefront of gaming, blockchain, and metaverse innovation, inspiring the next generation of developers and entrepreneurs. Dive into his story to explore how passion, skill, and innovation can shape the future of technology.
Facts About Nico Stranquist
| Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nico Stranquist |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
| Education | Parkway West High School; University of Missouri–St. Louis (BSc, 2025); Saint Louis University (Entrepreneurship, 2025) |
| High School Activities | Staff writer (The Pathfinder), soccer, lacrosse, chess, table tennis |
| Early Career | Freelance software developer (2017–2020); EduRain and Rissana developer |
| Startup Ventures | Block 20 eSports (2018–2019); MetaTeds/SolSurfer (2021–present) |
| Hackathon Highlights | OpenHacks 2020 winner (MemeBattle app); TigerHacks 2021–2022 projects |
| Current Roles | Software Engineer at Bayer; Founder of MetaTeds |
| GitHub | Dozens of public repositories; 1,000+ stars |
| Industry Recognition | TechWeek 2023 panel speaker (“Exploring the Metaverse”) |
| Key Skills | Software development, blockchain, NFTs, Web3, AR/VR, startup leadership |
| Impact | Innovating gaming, blockchain, and metaverse platforms; inspiring tech community |
Early Life and Education
Nico Stranquist grew up in suburban St. Louis, Missouri, where he attended Parkway West High School. Even in his teenage years, he demonstrated a wide range of interests that would later shape his career. In 2014, as a junior, he was a staff writer for the school newspaper, The Pathfinder, gaining early experience in communication and storytelling.
Outside the classroom, Stranquist was active in soccer, lacrosse, chess, and table tennis, reflecting both physical discipline and analytical thinking. In a student profile, he expressed an interest in attending the University of Michigan, but ultimately chose to pursue his education locally, a decision that would connect him more closely with the St. Louis startup ecosystem.
Stranquist enrolled at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where he is completing a Bachelor of Science degree with an expected graduation in December 2025. At the same time, he pursued entrepreneurship coursework at Saint Louis University, also finishing in December 2025. This dual academic focus (technology and business).
Entering the Startup and Technology World
While still a college student, Nico Stranquist began actively engaging with the tech startup community. One of his early leadership roles was as Vice President of Marketing for the Saint Louis University Entrepreneurs’ Club between 2016 and 2017. In this position, he worked alongside aspiring founders, promoted startup events, and gained firsthand exposure to how early-stage ventures grow.
He also participated in the Blue Diamonds startup accelerator program at SLU in 2017, where students developed business ideas under the guidance of mentors and investors. This experience helped Stranquist understand how to take a concept and transform it into a product, a skill that would soon define his career.
During this time, he also worked as a freelance software developer, building applications and gaining hands-on experience with coding, product design, and client collaboration.
Early Professional Experience
Between 2018 and 2020, Stranquist worked with education technology companies, including EduRain and Rissana, where he helped develop software tools for learning platforms. These roles strengthened his technical abilities while exposing him to real-world product development challenges.
In June 2018, he co-founded Block 20 eSports, a gaming-focused startup that reflected his interest in the competitive gaming community. Though the company operated only through mid-2019, it represented a major milestone: Stranquist had moved from being a student developer to a startup founder.
This period of experimentation and growth helped him discover his interest in the intersection of gaming, software, and online communities, a theme that would later reappear in his blockchain and NFT projects.
Hackathons and Creative Technology
One of the most defining aspects of Nico Stranquist’s career is his deep involvement in hackathons, competitive innovation events where developers build projects in a short amount of time.
In 2020, he co-led a team at the OpenHacks virtual hackathon, where they created MemeBattle, a mobile gaming app that allowed users to compete using memes. The project won the “Best Use of MongoDB Atlas” award, recognizing both creativity and technical excellence.
On his Devpost profile, Stranquist is credited with several award-winning projects, including:
- MemeBattle – a social gaming app
- Panera Bread Pass – a creative app inspired by loyalty programs
- SolSurfer – a blockchain-based NFT platform
Many of these projects are marked as “Winner”, showing that his teams consistently ranked among the best in these competitive environments.
He also participated in TigerHacks (University of Missouri hackathons) in 2021 and 2022, where he explored AR, VR, and blockchain technologies. These experiences helped him refine both his technical and leadership skills while staying at the forefront of emerging trends.
Professional Career at Bayer
In January 2021, Nico Stranquist began working as a Software Engineer at Bayer, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and agricultural companies. This role placed him in a high-level corporate technology environment, where he contributes to real-world software systems used in science, research, and industry.
Working at Bayer added a new dimension to his career. While his startup and hackathon work focused on experimental and consumer-facing technology, Bayer required precision, security, and reliability. This balance between innovation and stability has shaped Stranquist into a more versatile engineer.
Founding MetaTeds and SolSurfer
Later in 2021, Stranquist launched his most ambitious project yet: MetaTeds, along with its related platform SolSurfer. These ventures operate in the Web3, NFT, and metaverse space, blending gaming, digital art, and blockchain technology.
MetaTeds is designed around digital collectibles and interactive gaming experiences, while SolSurfer serves as an NFT-focused platform for creators and players. Together, they represent Stranquist’s vision of how blockchain technology can enhance digital identity and ownership in online worlds.
As Founder of MetaTeds, he leads both technical development and strategic direction, guiding the project through a rapidly evolving Web3 landscape.
Public Recognition and Speaking
In April 2023, Nico Stranquist was featured as a speaker on a TechWeek panel titled “Exploring the Metaverse.” Listed as “Founder, MetaTeds,” he shared insights into NFTs, digital worlds, and how creators can engage with Web3 technologies.
This appearance marked a significant milestone: Stranquist was no longer just a developer or founder, he was now recognized as a thought leader in emerging tech.
GitHub and Open-Source Influence
Stranquist’s GitHub profile further demonstrates his impact. With dozens of public repositories and over 1,000 stars, his work has gained attention from developers around the world. His projects range from:
- A RuneScape simulator
- SolSurfer NFT user interfaces
- Blockchain and gaming tools
This open-source activity reflects his commitment to sharing knowledge and building tools that others can learn from and expand.
Impact on Technology and Innovation
Nico Stranquist’s influence is most visible in the St. Louis tech and startup ecosystem, where he has contributed to gaming, blockchain, and software innovation. Through MetaTeds, SolSurfer, and his hackathon projects, he has helped introduce new ways for people to interact with digital assets and online communities.
At the same time, his role at Bayer ensures that his skills are applied to real-world challenges, bridging the gap between experimental tech and enterprise-level systems.
Perhaps most importantly, Stranquist’s journey serves as a model for aspiring technologists. He demonstrates how interests developed in high school, writing, gaming, curiosity, can evolve into a meaningful career in software engineering and entrepreneurship.
A Career Still in Motion
Nico Stranquist is still early in his professional journey, yet his accomplishments already reflect a rare blend of creativity, discipline, and technical skill. From hackathon winner to startup founder and corporate software engineer, he represents the modern technologist, adaptable, curious, and forward-looking.
As blockchain, gaming, and Web3 technologies continue to grow, Stranquist is well positioned to remain a meaningful contributor. Whether through MetaTeds, open-source projects, or enterprise software, his work continues to shape how people interact with digital worlds.
Conclusion
Nico Stranquist’s journey illustrates how curiosity, dedication, and technical skill can evolve into meaningful innovation. From high school journalism and hackathons to founding MetaTeds and advancing blockchain gaming, he exemplifies the potential of blending creativity with technology. As he continues to shape the Web3 and metaverse landscape, Stranquist’s story serves as an inspiring roadmap for aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs looking to make a lasting impact in the tech world.
