Ictus secured the top prize of £10,000 at the StEP 2026 final pitching event after developing a wearable EEG patch for detecting and classifying epileptic seizures, including non-convulsive seizures. The venture provides clinicians and neurologists with an objective patient seizure log prior to appointments, utilizing extremely low-cost printing of silver nanowires based on University of Oxford intellectual property. Oxford University Innovation plans to continue supporting all nine teams participating in the eight-week student entrepreneurship program.
Ictus Wins Top Prize with Epilepsy Detection System
Ictus distinguished its system by focusing on the detection of non-convulsive seizures, a clinical challenge addressed by providing neurologists with objective patient seizure logs prior to appointments. The venture’s core technology centers on a wearable EEG patch fabricated using an innovative process; it enables the extremely low-cost printing of silver nanowires, potentially lowering barriers to widespread adoption compared to conventional EEG equipment.
This manufacturing approach suggests a scalable solution for continuous seizure monitoring outside of clinical settings, a feature currently limited by the cost and complexity of traditional systems. “The teams this year absolutely blew us away,” said Catherine Spence, Incubator and Student Entrepreneurship lead at Oxford University Innovation.
“It was unbelievably difficult to pick winners, but Ictus, Cloq and Vivoxa did exceptionally well.” We are delighted to say that we will be continuing to support all nine teams in their future endeavours. This continued support extends beyond the initial prize money, offering mentorship and resources to help these ventures mature.
Irwin Zaid, Director of Oxford Edge, highlighted the overall quality of the participating student founders; “All of the teams were excellent and we’re delighted to have such great student entrepreneurs at Oxford University.” The development of an objective seizure log represents a shift toward proactive patient care, allowing clinicians to analyze data trends over time and tailor treatment plans more effectively. While the initial £10,000 prize will fund further development, the potential impact of Ictus’s technology extends to improving the quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy and streamlining diagnostic workflows for healthcare professionals.
Cloq’s Quantum Clocks and Vivoxa’s Diagnostics Showcase Venture Diversity
Cloq’s development of a new class of quantum clocks promises to dramatically reduce size, cost, and power consumption compared to existing technologies. The company’s patented technology aims to deliver precise timing to industries previously excluded by expense, including GPS-denied navigation, telecommunications, and electronics. This focus on accessibility distinguishes Cloq’s approach from research concentrating solely on high-end applications, potentially opening new markets for quantum timing solutions.
Vivoxa is building a reusable platform for rapid, laboratory-grade molecular diagnostics directly at the point of care, initially targeting equine infectious diseases. This decentralized diagnostic approach intends to establish a foundation for future applications, moving diagnostic capabilities closer to the patient or animal and reducing reliance on centralized laboratory facilities. The venture’s initial focus on animal health provides a contained testing ground before potential expansion into human diagnostics, streamlining regulatory pathways and accelerating development. Irwin Zaid, Director of Oxford Edge, added, “An absolutely incredible cohort with super ideas to take forward.”
Source: https://innovation.ox.ac.uk/news/step-2026-winners-meet-oxfords-next-generation-student-founders
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