#Japan #Tokyo #AI Hack #FlashLabs #OrcaRouter

OrcaRouter Sponsors AI HACK 2026

FlashLabs Inc., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, proudly announces its sponsorship of the second iteration of AI HACK 2026, an AI hackathon aimed at young engineers in their twenties. The event will take place from September 19 (Saturday) to September 23 (Wednesday), 2026. All participants will be provided with ¥3,000 worth of AI credit, allowing them to utilize various AI models for their projects over the five-day event.

What is AI HACK 2026?

AI HACK 2026 is a premier hackathon organized by the AIHACK operational committee. It aims to challenge individuals and teams (of up to three members) to create AI products from scratch. The hackathon will cover three main themes: leveraging Large Language Models (LLM), automating business processes through AI, and innovating with new AI products. On the first day, an online kickoff will reveal the problem statements, while the final day will feature pitches and award ceremonies held in Tokyo.

Participants can take advantage of the long weekend that includes Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday, followed by Autumnal Equinox Day. Thus, the event spans a five-day period, providing ample time for development. The first day will focus on team building through online interactions, while the main development work will continue through Discord’s platform on subsequent days. Participants will gather at the venue on the last day to present their projects.

Details of Participation

• - Eligibility: Open to code-writing engineers in their twenties, regardless of prior AI experience.
• - Fees: The hackathon is free to participate.
• - Capacity: Limited to 150 participants, with applications closing on September 17, 2026.
• - Prizes: The total prize fund is up to ¥1 million, with the OrcaRouter Award valued at ¥100,000 for exceptional use of the OrcaRouter's capabilities.

In the first round of the AI HACK (August 8-16, 2026), 112 entries surpassed the limit of 100 participants, resulting in 56 active teams in competition. FlashLabs has been continuously supporting the project since its inception.

The Role of OrcaRouter

OrcaRouter, an advanced AI inference gateway developed by Continuum AI and exclusively offered in Japan by FlashLabs, aims to streamline the AI model selection process for participants. With the capability to utilize over 200 LLMs and generative AI models, OrcaRouter allows instant access without the need for cumbersome account setup or API key issuance. This means that contestants can focus more on what they want to create rather than being bogged down by logistical details.

The adaptive routing feature of OrcaRouter assesses the complexity of requests in real time and directs them to the optimal model. By doing so, it potentially reduces costs by over 40% while maintaining approximately 99% of output quality, which continues to be verified through participant feedback and testing. Furthermore, the gateway has no markup on token metrics, remaining true to the listed pricing from primary providers.

During the hackathon, the emphasis will be on creativity and innovation, enabling contestants to take full advantage of their time to build valuable AI products.

Looking Ahead

FlashLabs remains committed to supporting the next generation of engineers in leveraging AI technologies. With a strong foundation in AI applications through OrcaRouter, FlashLabs continues its dedication to automated model selection and cost reductions in AI deployment. By fostering initiatives such as hackathons, they aim to stimulate creativity and innovation across the technology landscape.

For more details about the event and to register, interested parties can visit the official AI HACK 2026 website.

FlashLabs Overview

• - Company name: FlashLabs Inc.
• - Location: 10-8 Ichibancho, Chiyoda, Tokyo
• - CEO: Yoichi Hosoi
• - Established: July 2023
• - Business Focus: AI application research, including the development of OSS voice models like Chroma.
• - Website: FlashLabs