Cloq, co-founded by Christ Church physics student Joel Klein, is developing miniaturised, low-cost quantum clocks and secured the top award at the forum, now in its fourth year.
The winning pitch was delivered by teammate David McMahon, a DPhil student in atomic and laser physics.
A quantum clock is an ultra-precise clock that uses atoms to keep time.
Scientists say it is so accurate that it could help improve GPS, communications and scientific research.
Mr Klein said: “The opportunity to explore and work on Oxford IP, with the guidance of the amazing, committed mentors at Oxford Edge, has been invaluable.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed developing my skills in such a positive environment and I’m excited to see where we can take Cloq next.”
Cloq previously took second place at Oxford Edge’s StEP Demo Day.
The team will next compete at Stage Two in Berlin this October.
Cloq’s four founders met during Oxford Edge’s eight-week StEP accelerator programme, which is run in partnership with Oxford University Innovation (OUI).
The team formed around a University of Oxford patent for a compact, affordable quantum clock developed by Professor Arzhang Ardavan and colleagues in the Department of Physics.
The clock uses a nitrogen atom trapped inside a buckminsterfullerene molecule – a ‘buckyball’ – to deliver high-precision timing to industries previously unable to afford such technology.
Cloq was named one of three winning teams at the StEP Demo Day last month, earning a £5,000 prize and a place in the Berlin competition.
The startup will represent the University of Oxford at Stage Two while continuing to validate the strongest applications with potential customers.
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