About AXGO
Application Guidebook
AXGO (AX Global Olympiad) Seoul International 2026

CO-HOSTED BY — SOGANG UNIVERSITY · YONSEI UNIVERSITY · HACKER DOJO (SILICON VALLEY)

The premier global competition where young innovators showcase groundbreaking AI solutions — co-hosted by Sogang University, Yonsei University, and Hacker Dojo (Silicon Valley). Join builders worldwide, on-site in Seoul or online from anywhere.

InventionResearchAI SolutionsSocial Innovation
📍 Location

Sogang University, Seoul's creative Hongdae district

🌏 Who Can Join

High school & university students globally

📅 When

On-site in Seoul: July 14, 2026 · Online track: June – July 2026

US Applicants — Online Participants

Join AXGO fully online from the US — build with AI, present to a global stage, no travel required.

🎤 Your Presentation

July 13 · 6:00 PM PT

🏆 Results Announced

July 17 · 6:00 PM PT

💻 Format

Online · Pre-record + Live Q&A

What You Do
Register

Sign up on the AXGO portal.

Build

Work on your digital project during the build period: Jun 23 – Jul 10.

Submit

Upload your demo video + slides by Jul 10, 9 PM PT.

Present Live

Join Zoom on Jul 13, 6 PM PT — 7 min recorded demo + 3 min live Q&A.

Your Schedule (Pacific Time)
Jun 22, 6 PM PT

Opening Ceremony (online)

Jun 23 – Jul 10

Build period — work on your own schedule

Jul 10, 9 PM PT

Submission deadline

Jul 13, 6 PM PT

US teams present (1 hour, online). US teams present first, then finish — no need to wait for the Korea schedule.

Jul 17, 6 PM PT

Results & awards announced — separate online session, in your evening

What's Judged
✅ Judged
  • Software & digital projects
  • Originality of your AI methodology
  • Working results you can demo
❌ Not Judged
  • Physical hardware (drones, robots)
  • Speed or efficiency alone

Full details in the AXGO 2026 Guidebook below.

Co-hosted by: Sogang University · Yonsei University · Hacker Dojo (Silicon Valley)

📄 AXGO 2026 Guidebook

File upload

AXGO_Guidebook_US_Online.pdf

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AX-GO Seoul: Why Join?

Present real inventions, research, and AI solutions on an international academic stage—then experience Seoul's youth culture hub, Hongdae.

🌍 International Academic Stage
  • Reviewed by university professors + global industry judges
  • Expo-style demos + formal presentations
  • Meet teams from 5+ countries
🎓 3 Top Univ. Campus Tour+ Hongdae Field Trip
  • Hosted at Sogang University
  • Explore Yonsei · Ewha · Sogang—all nearby in one afternoon
  • Hongdae = food, shopping, youth culture (perfect for short-form content)
🧪 Open Innovation — Any Discipline

Choose your track:

  • Inventions / Prototypes
  • Research & Experiments
  • AI Solutions / Systems

Engineering, science, design, education—every field belongs here.


Why Seoul / Why Hongdae
Academic excellence meets creative culture — all in one district
🎓 3 Top Universities Cluster (Half-day Walk/Transit)

Sogang • Yonsei • Ewha — a rare 'campus triangle' for academic exchange

🏙️ Hongdae = Easy K-Culture Access

Food streets, youth culture, shopping — all within minutes

🌐 Perfect for Global Networking & Content

Campus + expo + street culture moments in one area

Content Creator's Paradise

Hongdae transforms every moment into viral content. Neon-lit streets provide perfect backdrops. Street performers create dynamic scenes. Trendy cafés offer Instagram-worthy spots.

Walk five minutes in any direction. You'll find content gold. Your team's project documentation becomes a visual story. Every meal, every break, every celebration—ready for Reels and Shorts.

"The energy of Hongdae doesn't just inspire—it creates content naturally."


Who Is AX-GO For?
✅ If You Have Any of These, You Belong Here
🔬 Researchers / Experiment

Agricultural innovations, health solutions, environmental studies. Social impact projects that change communities.

🔧 Inventors / Demo (Prototype)

Hardware prototypes, sustainable tech, medical devices. Community tools that solve real problems.

💡 Builders / Digital services

Apps, AI tools, automation workflows. If you solve a genuine problem, we want to see it.

🎬 Creators / AI Arts (Videos, Movies)

Short films, music videos, animations created with AI tools. Storytelling through AI-powered video generation.

🎓 Students From Everywhere
  • Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea — and beyond
  • Middle school, high school, university levels all welcome
  • Solo participants or teams — collaborate your way
What You Need

✅ A clear problem you're solving

✅ Evidence your solution works — data, prototype, or pilot results

✅ Ability to explain and demonstrate your innovation effectively

What You DON'T Need

❌ Advanced coding skills

❌ AI experience

❌ Expensive equipment

❌ A fully finished product

📅 Your 3-Day Experience
1
Day 0: Booth Setup (from 3:00 PM)

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Booth setup & tech check

  • What happens: Table/board setting, demo readiness, QR printing, power & Wi-Fi test
  • Goal: Be fully ready for Day 1 exhibition opening
2
Day 1: Opening + Exhibition & Judging Begins
  • Morning: Check-in & Opening Session
  • Afternoon: Exhibition opens + judging begins (live demos at booths)
  • Evening: Welcome Night Dinner (Hongdae)

Note: Day 1 is the official start of competition evaluation.

3
Day 2: Exhibition + Presentations
  • Morning: Exhibition continues + final judging interactions
  • Afternoon: Stage presentations (demo + pitch sessions)
  • End of Day: Final scoring closes

Note: Day 2 is your strongest moment for showcasing results.

4
Day 3: Awards Ceremony (9:00 AM)
  • 9:00 AM: Awards Ceremony
  • 12:00 PM: Group photos & closing
  • After: Departure / free schedule

(Morning only)

Explore K-Culture in Hongdae

AXGO didn't choose Hongdae by accident — we prepared the city as your playable stage.

Exploration Base: Location: Hongdae Entrance (Hongdae-ipgu) — Korea's youth culture street: food, fashion, street art, nightlife.

🍜 Street Food Hunt

Try 2 local dishes + 1 street snack. Share your favorite bite.

🛍️ K-Style Discovery

Find one item that represents Korean youth culture. Snap a photo.

🎥 Create Your Seoul Story

Film a 15–30s clip: your team, your idea, or a K-culture moment.

🎶 Capture the Vibe

Find a street performance or a lively spot. Record a 5-second clip.

Organized by Leading Institutions

AX-GO is a flagship international program. Built by world-class institutions committed to youth innovation.

🏛️ Sogang University

One of Korea's top 5 universities. Leading research in AI, engineering, and social innovation.

International hub with 1,500+ exchange students annually. Prime Hongdae location.

🌏 PAIA — Practical AI Association

Korea's premier association for practical AI and innovation. Led by Sogang University faculty.

Network of 50+ universities and industry partners. Focus: turning research into real-world solutions.

🇺🇸 AI-JAM US & Hacker Dojo

Silicon Valley-based innovation network. Connects top talent to US tech ecosystem.

Pathway to internships, accelerators, and mentorship. Host of AX-GO Global Finals in California.

🎯 What This Means for You
  • Your work evaluated by world-class judges
  • Top performers invited to Silicon Valley finals
  • Networking with industry sponsors and partners
  • Certificates recognized by universities and employers
Four Tracks — Choose What Fits Your Work

Every innovation has a home. Select the track that best showcases your project's strengths.

Track A: Invention & Prototype

Show us what you built. Hardware, concept models, prototypes — any field welcome.

Judged on:

  • Originality of solution
  • Feasibility and execution
  • Demonstration quality
Track B: Research & Findings

Present your research with evidence. Agriculture, health, environment, social impact — all fields accepted.

Judged on:

  • Clear research question
  • Sound methodology
  • Evidence and discussion
Track C: AI-Powered Solutions

Built with AI tools? Show your workflow. Apps, automation, AI agents that solve real problems.

Judged on:

  • User problem clarity
  • Working demonstration
  • Toolchain documentation
Track D: AI arts (Videos, Movies)

Created with AI video tools? Show your creative work. Short films, music videos, animations — storytelling through AI.

Judged on:

  • Creative vision and storytelling
  • AI tool integration
  • Production quality and originality
🏆 Recognition & Awards
Grand Prix Award

Best Overall Project across all tracks

Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards

Best in each competition category

Special Jury Prizes

Innovation, Social Impact, and more

Certificates

Official recognition for all participants

Silicon Valley Invitations

Top performers join December 2026 finals in California

How to Join

Ready to showcase your innovation in Seoul? The application process is simple and straightforward.

1
Step 1: Submit Application

Fill out the online form with your project details and team information.

2
Step 2: Wait for Review

Our team reviews applications. You'll receive confirmation within 2 weeks.

3
Step 3: Pay Registration Fee

Once accepted, complete your registration payment to secure your spot.

4
Step 4: Prepare for Seoul

Receive your event kit, schedule, and start preparing your presentation.

Ready to Join?

Applications are now open for AX-GO Seoul International 2026.

Don't miss this opportunity to compete globally and experience Seoul's creative energy.

💰 Registration Details

Registration fee covers venue access, competition materials, and welcome dinner.