Builders Weekend 2026: An AI Hackathon Uniting Global Innovators in Tokyo

Builders Weekend 2026: An AI Hackathon Uniting Global Innovators

The Builders Weekend 2026, co-hosted by Onlab and Digital Garage, is set to unfold from March 20 to 22, 2026, in the vibrant heart of Shibuya, Tokyo, specifically at the Dragon Gate located on the 18th floor of the Shibuya Parco DG Building. This event is designed to bring together a plethora of talented individuals including entrepreneurs, investors, engineers, and students from around the globe, all aiming to foster innovation in artificial intelligence technology.

Event Overview

This hackathon is part of Onlab's initiative to nurture entrepreneurs with a global perspective. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as Digital Garage's payment service and Lovable's product development environment, as well as VoiceOS, a voice AI platform, this event provides a unique space for a diverse group of creators to collaborate on products that meet actual consumer needs.

Key Details:

- Event Name: Builders Weekend 2026
- Date: March 20 (Friday) 18:00 - March 22 (Sunday) 21:00
- Venue: Dragon Gate, Shibuya Parco DG Building, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo
- Expected Participants: Approximately 200 individuals
- Language: English (Japanese support available)
- Participation Fee: Free

Schedule

Day 1 | March 20

- 17:00 - Doors Open
- 18:00 - Challenge Theme Announcement
- 18:30 - Team Building Begins
- 19:00 - Dinner Provided
- 22:00 - Venue Closes

Day 2 | March 21

- 09:00 - Doors Open, Coffee Available
- 12:00 - Light Snack Provided
- 18:00 - Dinner Provided
- 22:00 - Venue Closes

Day 3 | March 22

- 09:00 - Doors Open, Coffee Available
- 12:00 - Light Snack Provided
- 16:00 - Submission Deadline for Outputs and Judging Starts
- 17:30 - Presentation Begins
- 19:00 - Announcing Winners
- 19:30 - After Party Starts
- 21:45 - Event Ends

Note: Program content and timings may be subject to change.

Awards and Benefits

Participants can look forward to enticing rewards, including:

- VoiceOS Award: Free credits for selected teams for one year.
- Lovable Award: Credits for product development with a recommendation for UI implementation by Lovable.
- Additional Prizes and perks are also planned.

Judges

A distinguished panel of judges is slated to oversee the competition, including:

- Yoshi Ueda (RevenueCat)
- Kai Brokering (VoiceOS)
- Mitsumasa Kiyohara (Open Network Lab)
- Jerry Chi (Supercell)

Participation Requirements

To join the Builders Weekend 2026, attendees must meet the following requirements:

- In-Person Attendance: Participation from March 20-22 is mandatory.
- Passion for New Product Development: Participants should be eager to develop new products or software.
- Prior Approval: Attendance requires prior confirmation from the host.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. Light snacks and beverages will be provided by the organization.

About Open Network Lab

Founded in 2010, Onlab is Japan's pioneering seed accelerator that handpicks teams with high technical prowess and promising business plans from around the world. It has fostered a culture of support through mentorship, technical assistance, and funding, contributing to the rapid growth of startups. Notable alumni include companies like giftee and WHILL, as well as globally recognized startups like Fond Technologies. Over the years, Onlab has graduated more than 160 companies, including unicorns and IPO startups.

- Website: Open Network Lab
- Social Media: X, Facebook

About TAKEOFF Corporation

TAKEOFF Corporation, based in Tokyo, cultivates a community connecting entrepreneurs, creators, and investors, aiming to craft the next generation of significant companies like Toyota and Sony. It organizes various initiatives, including the upcoming startup conference, Takeoff Tokyo, and hands-on hackathons like Builders Weekend.