Hello! I’m Yoshidumi from developer relations (DevRel), and I oversaw Tech Week 2025.
Tech Week 2025, held from June 30 to July 4, is an annual technology festival hosted by LINE Yahoo. It's a "special week" for colleagues involved in product development, including engineers, designers, and PMs (product managers).
This year, the event was structured around two main components: Tech-Verse (a tech conference) and Hack Day (an internal hackathon), bringing together over 1,500 participants on-site. Let's take a moment to look back on this week, which was a concentrated showcase of LINE Yahoo's culture.
Tech-Verse
Tech-Verse not only showcases LY Corporation’s technology externally but also holds special significance for our engineers internally. At Tech-Verse 2025, nearly 130 sessions were presented. This time, we will introduce the behind-the-scenes efforts that support the output of each engineer.
The presentation process and support system
Presentation sessions are open for proposals, allowing anyone to apply. The final selection is made through voting by all employees and reviews by experts. In some cases, organizational recommendations are also made, providing opportunities for individuals to present with internal support.
To reduce the burden of preparation, presenters receive structured support such as:
- A comprehensive to-do guide covering every step from proposal to presentation
- Pre-proposal consultation sessions
- Reviews by experts as well as PR and intellectual property teams
- Assistance with creating presentation materials
- Practice sessions to refine delivery
There is a three-month period from proposal submission to the actual presentation. At DevRel, we formed a dedicated team to work closely with presenters throughout the preparation process. Our focus is not only on supporting the logistics but also on creating an environment where presenters can organize their thoughts and concentrate on their challenges.
Presenters have expressed that they were able to prepare with peace of mind, appreciated the flexible support, and enjoyed the long preparation period. For us, supporting the presenters' challenges was also a significant learning experience.
Designing an event that's easy to participate in
The tracks at Tech-Verse are designed so that participants can enjoy a single technological domain throughout the day. This setup makes it easier for individuals with similar interests to gather, naturally deepening discussions and interactions. The very existence of such a space serves as motivation for submitting proposals.
Additionally, each track features a "Best Speaker" award, where winners are recognized in front of all participants. This acknowledgment of effort further elevates the value of presenting.
I feel that Tech-Verse is more than just a conference; it reflects a culture that encourages challenges and celebrates achievements.
Hack Day
Another highlight is the internal hackathon, "Hack Day". This event allows participants to step away from their usual work and freely develop projects they are passionate about. It serves as an opportunity to actively engage with new technologies, including AI, and produce innovative outputs. Additionally, LY Corporation conducts development not only in Japan but also in Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Hack Day offers a valuable chance to experience this global environment in a short period.
Building strong relationships with global teams
In addition to the general category, Hack Day features a Global Mixed Team category. This category is open to teams composed of members from two or more countries or regions, and it is highly popular, with participation slots being highly contested each time. Experiences from employees who participated in the Global Mixed Team can be found in "Hack the planet! A recap of Hack Day 2025".
Despite the short timeframe, the intense development process allows participants to build strong relationships with colleagues they might not typically interact with in their regular work. The bonds formed during this event extend beyond it, benefiting future collaborations and regular work activities.
Employees who participated have shared feedback such as:
- "I was able to immerse myself in creating with my teammates, gaining a sense of fulfillment different from my usual work".
- "It was a fantastic experience to collaborate with colleagues from different countries and specialties".
For many employees, Hack Day is treasured not only as a hackathon but as an event that showcases LY Corporation’s collaborative culture.
In conclusion
Through the annual festival known as Tech Week, LINE Yahoo provides numerous opportunities for output in various forms, such as presentations and development. DevRel will continue working to expand and enhance these opportunities.
If you'd like to learn more about Tech Week, please feel free to check out the articles below.
