About Us
Providing subsurface insight to researchers and industries using acoustic telemetry.
Who We Are
Located in Trondheim, Norway, Thelma Biotel has enabled underwater knowledge capture around the world for 20 years. With a close connection to the research community, we build tools that support better decisions in scientific studies, aquaculture and structural monitoring. We believe knowledge moves in waves, and our role is to help capture it, clearly and responsibly.
The Thelma Biotel Team
Meet our team – dedicated experts working together to deliver the best solutions and support you every step of the way.
Frode Stevik
CEO
Frode has spent his career helping organisations navigate change, growth, and technology. He enjoys bringing together people with different perspectives and turning ambitious ideas into reality.
Catrine Schulze
Head of Customer Success
Catrine is fascinated by what animal movement data can tell us about the natural world. Combining scientific understanding with hands-on telemetry experience, she enjoys seeing things from the customer’s perspective and finding solutions that make a difference.
Jørgen Holden
Production Manager
Jørgen knows what it takes to turn technology into reliable products. With more than a decade of experience in electronics and mechanical production, he brings a practical mindset to making sure our solutions are built efficiently, consistently and to the standards our customers depend on.
Maren Mommens
Senior Advisor - Research, Aquaculture and Energy
Maren has spent more than a decade exploring the biology behind fish reproduction and genetics. With a PhD in Biology and extensive research experience across marine species and salmonids, she brings scientific curiosity and understanding to helping customers find the right solutions for their work.
Hilde Johannesen
Senior Advisor - Research
Hilde combines a passion for marine biology with first-hand experience in acoustic telemetry. Having carried out telemetry work herself, she understands both the scientific questions and the practical realities behind a successful study, experience she now uses to help our customers succeed.
Eirik Svendsen
Senior Embedded Developer
Eirik works where biology, electronics and engineering meet. With a PhD in Engineering Cybernetics and experience in embedded systems and advanced monitoring of fish behaviour and physiology, he helps develop technology that can reveal more about what happens beneath the surface.
Erlend V. Tisløv
Production Engineer
Erlend brings together electrical engineering and extensive hands-on experience with acoustic telemetry equipment. His practical knowledge of our technology helps ensure that the equipment leaving Thelma Biotel is ready for the demanding environments where our customers put it to work.
Ruben Archer
Production Engineer
Ruben combines a background in electrical engineering with extensive experience working with acoustic telemetry equipment. With a practical eye for technology and detail, he helps turn our designs into dependable tools ready for life below the surface.
Kristian Breifossmo
Senior Software Engineer
Kristian makes complex technology easier to use. With a background in computer engineering, he develops the software that connects our users with Thelma Biotel devices, with a focus on making powerful technology feel intuitive and accessible.
Olav Ljøkjel
Senior Embedded Developer
Olav works at the heart of the technology that allows us to communicate below the surface. With a background in electronics, signal processing and acoustics, and extensive experience in embedded systems, he helps transform complex engineering into robust technology for the underwater world.
Our Vision - Waves of Knowledge
At Thelma Biotel, we work to enable safer and more just aquatic operations by turning subsurface data into meaningful knowledge.
Close Partnerships
We think knowledge is best created through close collaboration. That's why we aim to be a trusted partner in all relations. On the production end we partner with NORBIT, a global leader in tailored technology, to produce most of our tags locally – just an hour from our headquarters – combining world-class innovation with local craftsmanship.
Innovation with Purpose
We believe our technology should do more than track movementand behaviour — it should inspire understanding and stewardship. Our solutions are designed to provide deeper insights into aquatic ecosystems, empowering better decisions for their protection and long-term sustainability.
Our Journey So Far
1970s - 2000s | Research
Norwegian researchers Holand, Mohus, and Balchen began developing acoustic transmitters for fish and equipment for field studies in fisheries research. The technology and methods were continuously further developed at the independent research institute SINTEF and NTNU.
2002 | Thelma
Technology and methods from SINTEF, and the NTNU were commercialised under the name Thelma.
2008 | Start of Thelma Biotel
Thelma Biotel spun off as a separate company, with a sole focus on further development of wireless monitoring in the submerged environment.
2013 | Expandert produktportefølje
Thelma Biotel delivered the first digital acoustic receiver.
2018 | Gazelle Company
2021 | Expanded Portfolio
Thelma Biotel delivered the first digital receiver with a release module.
2022 | Team Expansion
The company now has a double-digit number of employees.
2026 | Eco-Lighthouse certified
Thelma Biotel and Eco-Lighthouse
Thelma Biotel is Eco-Lighthouse certified and works actively to reduce our environmental impact. Read more about how we approach climate and sustainability below.
2026-06-10
General