FIELDWORK Business Challenge Seoul Edition

Concept edition. The organizations, offices, venue and application figures are fictional. No live recruitment is taking place.

FIELDWORK is an individual business challenge led by Orbit Makers' U.S. Program Office in Boston, Massachusetts. Orbit Makers Korea, the Seoul chapter, coordinates the local workshops, mentoring and studio operations.

Program offices

Orbit Makers sets the program structure and shared review standards, oversees selection and defines the final pitch framework. Orbit Makers Korea manages the seven workshops, participant guidance and optional workspace at Buildground Studio, Seoul.

Round 1 application status

The online application window is closed. Final applications: 5,623, as a concept figure. Submissions are under review. New applications, edits and uploads are locked. Round 1 results are scheduled for 2026-10-08 at 18:00 KST. The Seoul program runs 2026-10-10 through 2026-10-30.

Round 1 review criteria

| Criterion | Weight | Assessment |
| --- | ---: | --- |
| Problem definition | 15% | Who experiences the problem, in what situation, and why does it matter? |
| Originality & value | 15% | How does your solution differ from existing alternatives and improve the customer experience? |
| Customer & market insight | 10% | Do you understand customer behavior, the buyer and the alternatives? |
| Business model | 10% | Do value, willingness to pay, costs and customer acquisition fit together? |
| Feasibility & execution plan | 10% | What will you build and test with the resources available? |
| Global perspective | 10% | Can you understand differences across cultures and markets and adapt your idea? |
| Initiative & action | 10% | What have you started or tested, and what was your own role? |
| Accountability & reliability | 10% | How have you managed commitments, deadlines and setbacks? |
| Learning & adaptability | 5% | What did you change after feedback or new evidence? |
| Communication & collaboration | 5% | Can you consider other perspectives and explain your decisions clearly? |

Applications receive independent assessments against the same criteria. Cases with substantial score differences or near the selection threshold receive additional review. Overseas experience and language-test scores are not required. Give specific evidence of your own role, actions and decisions.

Application questions

The idea title is limited to 60 characters and the one-sentence summary to 200 characters. The eight written responses allow up to 900 words in total. One optional PDF may contain up to two A4 pages, within 5 MB. Adding an attachment does not provide an automatic advantage.

| Question | Limit |
| --- | --- |
| Whose problem are you trying to solve? Describe a situation you observed and explain why the problem matters. | 120 words |
| How do people address this problem today? Compare two alternatives with your proposed solution and explain the core feature. | 130 words |
| Who are the user and the buyer? Explain why someone would pay and how you would reach your first customer. | 100 words |
| What would your first prototype look like? Describe what you can build in three weeks, the resources needed and the question you would test. | 120 words |
| How might the problem differ in another culture or market? Compare one region, explain your evidence and identify what you would research next. | 100 words |
| Describe something you started or a responsibility you completed. Explain your role, actions, challenges and response. | 130 words |
| Describe a time feedback or a different perspective changed your thinking. What did you hear and what did you change? | 100 words |
| Separate what you know from what you assume. Identify a possible unintended consequence of your idea and how you would address it. | 100 words |

Seoul participation

The selected round plans 24 places for aspiring founders aged 18 or older who can attend the Seoul workshops. Participation is individual, with no program fee. Participants cover their own meals and travel. Bring a laptop, charger and writing materials. Paper models, screen mockups and service flows are accepted as prototypes.

Online applications and review take place before the 21-day workshop program. Some participants are eliminated at each of five checkpoints. Only advancing participants attend the next judged workshop. Elimination numbers, stage capacities and the final cohort size are not disclosed. All listed workshop and submission times use Korea Standard Time, KST (UTC+9).

Scheduled program: 09:00–15:00 KST, including lunch and breaks. Optional studio access: 15:00–22:00 KST on workshop days only. Participants may leave after the scheduled program. Staying late does not affect judging. Scheduled mentoring takes place during program hours, with a local space coordinator on site afterward.

Competitive checkpoints

Checkpoint materials are due at 15:00 KST; advancement decisions are released at 18:00 KST on the same day. Three reviewers independently assess the current checkpoint materials using its published weights. Scores reset at each checkpoint. Ties use the highest-weight criterion, then the next criterion, followed by a documented panel review. Everyone attending that day may use the studio until 22:00, regardless of the decision. Participants who do not advance receive review feedback, keep their work and may submit an independent portfolio by October 30.

Checkpoint 1 · 2026-10-13 · Customer readiness

Customer profile, five interview questions and three assumptions. Some participants do not advance after this review. Numbers are not disclosed.

| Criterion | Weight |
| --- | ---: |
| Problem & customer clarity | 40% |
| Research plan | 35% |
| Accountability & preparation | 25% |

Checkpoint 2 · 2026-10-16 · Evidence & direction

Interview notes, three customer insights and revised solution direction. Some participants do not advance after this review. Numbers are not disclosed.

| Criterion | Weight |
| --- | ---: |
| Customer evidence | 45% |
| Solution fit | 35% |
| Learning & adaptability | 20% |

Checkpoint 3 · 2026-10-19 · Business viability

One-page business model, pricing hypothesis and prototype scope. Some participants do not advance after this review. Numbers are not disclosed.

| Criterion | Weight |
| --- | ---: |
| Business model | 40% |
| Feasibility | 35% |
| Customer value | 25% |

Checkpoint 4 · 2026-10-22 · Prototype validation

Prototype, test notes and three improvement priorities. Some participants do not advance after this review. Numbers are not disclosed.

| Criterion | Weight |
| --- | ---: |
| Prototype & usability | 40% |
| Testing evidence | 35% |
| Iteration quality | 25% |

Checkpoint 5 · 2026-10-25 · Pitch readiness

Six-slide draft, prototype demonstration and rehearsal answers. Some participants do not advance after this review. Numbers are not disclosed.

| Criterion | Weight |
| --- | ---: |
| Evidence & reasoning | 40% |
| Pitch & answers | 35% |
| Execution readiness | 25% |

The 21-day program

| Day | Date | Format | Activity | Output |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Day 01 | 2026-10-10 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Round 2 begins: Orientation, problem definition and individual introductions | Revised problem statement |
| Day 02 | 2026-10-11 | Independent work | Collect problem examples: Find three customer situations and three existing alternatives | Examples & comparison notes |
| Day 03 | 2026-10-12 | Independent work | Map customer assumptions: Define the target customer, alternatives and untested assumptions | Customer assumptions |
| Day 04 | 2026-10-13 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Customers & assumptions · Checkpoint 1: Develop customer profiles, interview questions and a research plan; submit by 15:00 KST, advancement decision at 18:00 KST | Five questions & three assumptions · advancement review |
| Day 05 | 2026-10-14 | Independent work | Prepare interviews: Invite potential customers and refine your questions | Interview plan |
| Day 06 | 2026-10-15 | Independent work | Interview customers: Ask two or three potential customers about their experiences | Interview notes |
| Day 07 | 2026-10-16 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Evidence & direction · Checkpoint 2: Turn observations into insights and refine the solution; submit by 15:00 KST, advancement decision at 18:00 KST | Three insights · advancement review |
| Day 08 | 2026-10-17 | Independent work | Choose the core feature: Prioritize three features and select one to prototype | Feature priorities |
| Day 09 | 2026-10-18 | Independent work | Map the user journey: Sketch four to six steps in the customer experience | User journey |
| Day 10 | 2026-10-19 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Business model · Checkpoint 3: Connect value, pricing, costs and customer acquisition; submit by 15:00 KST, advancement decision at 18:00 KST | One-page business model · advancement review |
| Day 11 | 2026-10-20 | Independent work | Define prototype scope: Choose one core feature and one question to test | Prototype plan |
| Day 12 | 2026-10-21 | Independent work | Build a first prototype: Create a paper model, screen mockup or service flow | First prototype |
| Day 13 | 2026-10-22 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Test with users · Checkpoint 4: Observe behavior and questions during prototype use; submit by 15:00 KST, advancement decision at 18:00 KST | Test notes · advancement review |
| Day 14 | 2026-10-23 | Independent work | Improve the prototype: Apply feedback and explain the changes | Revised prototype |
| Day 15 | 2026-10-24 | Independent work | Draft the pitch: Create six slides from the problem to the next steps | Six-slide draft |
| Day 16 | 2026-10-25 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Rehearse the pitch · Checkpoint 5: Practice a three-minute pitch and receive feedback; submit by 15:00 KST, advancement decision at 18:00 KST | Rehearsal feedback · advancement review |
| Day 17 | 2026-10-26 | Independent work | Refine the presentation: Finalists refine their evidence, demonstration and answers | Final pitch deck |
| Day 18 | 2026-10-27 | Submission deadline | Submit final materials: Finalists: submit the deck PDF and prototype materials by 18:00 KST | Final presentation materials |
| Day 19 | 2026-10-28 | On site · 09:00–15:00 KST | Final pitch: Advancing finalists present; judging, feedback and awards | Judges' feedback |
| Day 20 | 2026-10-29 | Independent work | Write your reflection: Identify strengths, limitations and the next question | One-page reflection |
| Day 21 | 2026-10-30 | Submission deadline | Complete the portfolio: All original Seoul participants may submit their portfolio by 18:00 KST | Individual portfolio |

Workshop schedules

Day 01 · 2026-10-10 · Orientation & problem definition

24 selected participants. Revisit your application and turn the customer problem into a practical plan for the next three weeks.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Check-in | Collect review feedback and your workshop materials. |
| 09:20–09:40 | Program orientation | Review the dated schedule, five elimination checkpoints, individual work and studio access. |
| 09:40–10:20 | Problem definition workshop | Examine the customer, situation and unmet need behind your idea. |
| 10:20–10:35 | Break | Personal break. |
| 10:35–11:20 | Existing alternatives & evidence | Review comparable solutions, research sources and untested assumptions. |
| 11:20–12:00 | Individual revision | Write a clear problem statement and an initial solution direction. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:00–14:20 | Individual idea introductions | 24 participants: two-minute introductions, one-minute transitions and eight minutes for facilitation. |
| 14:20–14:45 | Mentor feedback | Discuss problem definitions and next steps in three small groups. |
| 14:45–15:00 | Wrap-up | Record your revisions and prepare for the next assignment. |

Output: Revised problem statement · personal work plan.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Day 04 · 2026-10-13 · Customers & assumptions

24 selected participants. Identify your core customer and write questions that test your assumptions.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Check-in & feedback | Review your customer assumptions and early research. |
| 09:20–10:00 | Customer segmentation | Distinguish users from buyers and choose your primary customer. |
| 10:00–10:15 | Break | Personal break. |
| 10:15–11:00 | Customer profile | Describe the context, behavior, unmet need and desired outcome. |
| 11:00–12:00 | Interview practice | Practice asking about real experiences without leading the respondent. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:00–14:15 | Mentor feedback | Review and revise your assumptions and interview questions. |
| 14:15–14:30 | Break | Personal break. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Checkpoint 1 · submission & briefing | Submit customer profile, five interview questions and three assumptions by 15:00 KST. Advancement decisions are released at 18:00 KST. Only advancing participants join the next workshop. |

Output: Customer profile · five interview questions · three assumptions.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Day 07 · 2026-10-16 · Evidence & direction

Participants advancing from the previous checkpoint. Use what you learned from customers to revisit the problem and the proposed solution.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Interview review | Separate observations from assumptions. |
| 09:20–10:10 | Finding insights | Identify recurring needs and cases that challenge your idea. |
| 10:10–10:25 | Break | Personal break. |
| 10:25–12:00 | Evidence & individual feedback | Organize quotes, observations and interpretations; revise your direction. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:00–14:15 | Solution design | Sketch the core feature and the customer journey. |
| 14:15–14:30 | Break | Personal break. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Checkpoint 2 · submission & briefing | Submit interview notes, three customer insights and revised solution direction by 15:00 KST. Advancement decisions are released at 18:00 KST. Only advancing participants join the next workshop. |

Output: Three customer insights · revised problem · one core feature.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Day 10 · 2026-10-19 · Business model

Participants advancing from the previous checkpoint. Connect the value you create with willingness to pay, costs and a route to your first customer.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Solution check-in | Review your customer journey and core feature. |
| 09:20–10:10 | Business model workshop | Explore users, buyers, willingness to pay and revenue options. |
| 10:10–10:25 | Break | Personal break. |
| 10:25–12:00 | Individual business model | Outline pricing assumptions, main costs and customer acquisition. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:00–14:15 | Mentor clinic | Review the connections and evidence in your business model. |
| 14:15–14:30 | Break | Personal break. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Checkpoint 3 · submission & briefing | Submit one-page business model, pricing hypothesis and prototype scope by 15:00 KST. Advancement decisions are released at 18:00 KST. Only advancing participants join the next workshop. |

Output: One-page business model · pricing hypothesis · prototype plan.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Day 13 · 2026-10-22 · Prototype & user testing

Participants advancing from the previous checkpoint. Make the idea tangible and observe how someone uses it.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Prototype check-in | Review paper models, screen mockups or service flows. |
| 09:20–10:10 | Test design | Define a user task and the behavior you want to observe. |
| 10:10–10:25 | Break | Personal break. |
| 10:25–12:00 | Individual prototyping | Complete a version that demonstrates the core feature. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:00–14:15 | Peer testing | Try each prototype and record questions and points of friction. |
| 14:15–14:30 | Break | Personal break. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Checkpoint 4 · submission & briefing | Submit prototype, test notes and three improvement priorities by 15:00 KST. Advancement decisions are released at 18:00 KST. Only advancing participants join the next workshop. |

Output: Prototype · test notes · three improvement priorities.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Day 16 · 2026-10-25 · Pitch rehearsal

Participants advancing from the previous checkpoint. Prepare a three-minute pitch that connects the problem, solution and what you have learned.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Deck check-in | Review your six slides and supporting evidence. |
| 09:20–10:10 | Pitch structure | Connect the problem, customer, solution, model, findings and next steps. |
| 10:10–10:25 | Break | Personal break. |
| 10:25–12:00 | Individual revision | Refine the demonstration, claims and supporting evidence. |
| 12:00–13:00 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:00–14:15 | Small-group rehearsal | Rehearse in mentor-led groups: a three-minute pitch, three minutes of questions and individual feedback. Group sizes follow the advancing cohort. |
| 14:15–14:30 | Break | Personal break. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Checkpoint 5 · submission & briefing | Submit six-slide draft, prototype demonstration and rehearsal answers by 15:00 KST. Advancement decisions are released at 18:00 KST. Only advancing participants join the next workshop. |

Output: Six-slide deck · rehearsal feedback · prepared answers.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Day 19 · 2026-10-28 · Final pitch

Finalists invited after Checkpoint 5. Present your work to the judging panel and receive feedback on the next step.

| Time KST | Session | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 09:00–09:20 | Check-in & briefing | Confirm presentation order, equipment and judging criteria. |
| 09:20–12:20 | Finalist presentations | Three-minute pitch, three-minute Q&A and one-minute transition per finalist. The Seoul chapter assigns presentation order and breaks to the confirmed finalists; finalist numbers are not published. |
| 12:20–13:10 | Lunch | Arrange your own meal. |
| 13:10–14:00 | Judging & reflection | The panel reviews scores while participants discuss what they learned. |
| 14:00–14:30 | Awards | One Grand Prize, two Excellence Awards and one Customer Insight Award. |
| 14:30–15:00 | Connections & closing | Reflect on your work and review the October 30, 18:00 KST portfolio deadline. |

Output: Final presentation · judges' feedback · awards.

15:00–22:00 KST: optional studio access for everyone attending that day, regardless of the checkpoint decision.

Final judging

| Criterion | Weight | Assessment |
| --- | ---: | --- |
| Problem definition | 25% | Clarity of the customer and the problem. |
| Customer evidence | 25% | How research and feedback informed the work. |
| Solution & prototype | 20% | How well the core feature addresses the problem and can be tested. |
| Business model | 15% | Value, willingness to pay, costs and customer acquisition. |
| Pitch & answers | 15% | Clear communication and considered answers. |

Only finalists advancing after Checkpoint 5 present on 2026-10-28, Day 19. Each slot includes a three-minute pitch, three-minute Q&A and one-minute transition. The Seoul chapter assigns presentation order and breaks within 09:20–12:20 KST once finalists are confirmed. Finalist numbers are not published. The same three-person panel assesses every pitch.

Awards and ownership

One Grand Prize: trophy and two follow-up mentoring sessions. Two Excellence Awards: an award and one mentoring session each. One Customer Insight Award: an award and customer research feedback. Each participant may receive one award. No cash prize is specified. Participants retain ownership of their ideas and work.

Final materials

Advancing finalists submit the six-slide deck PDF and prototype materials by 18:00 KST on 2026-10-27, Day 18. The slides cover the problem, customer, solution, business model, findings and next steps. Write a one-page reflection on Day 20. All original Seoul participants may submit an individual portfolio by 18:00 KST on 2026-10-30, Day 21. Include the plan, customer research, business model, prototype, deck and reflection.

Local operations

The Seoul chapter plans one program lead, one facilitator, three mentors and two check-in and equipment coordinators. The final judging panel has three separate members. Studio preparation starts at 08:15 KST, doors open at 08:45 and the scheduled program begins at 09:00. Closing reminders start at 21:30, cleanup at 21:50 and the studio closes at 22:00.

Day 01 provides 24 individual three-minute introduction slots and eight minutes for facilitation. Day 16 rehearsals take place in mentor-led groups sized for the advancing cohort, while projects and pitches remain individual.