What WiSub does

WiSub is a Norwegian subsea technology company that has developed a patented pinless (contactless) underwater connection system capable of transferring both electrical power and high-bandwidth data through seawater without any metal-to-metal contact. The technology combines high-frequency microwave electronics for data transmission (up to 600 Mbps Ethernet) with low-frequency inductive coupling for power transfer (5W to 3000W across a 0–10mm gap), while tolerating full 360° rotation and large angular misalignment. The system eliminates the mating-tolerance, sealing, contamination, and finite-cycle failure modes of conventional pinned wet-mate connectors used in subsea robotics.

The company markets a four-SKU product family — entry-level Hvirfla (5–15W), mid-range Maelstrom (180W/300 Mbps), versatile Fonn (250W/600 Mbps with continuous-rotation tolerance), and high-power Torden (3kW/600 Mbps) — alongside custom underwater docking solutions such as AUV and resident-ROV charging stations. Underlying IP is protected by a European Patent granted in February 2021 and corresponding filings in multiple overseas jurisdictions; both the Maelstrom (2015) and Torden (2017) products received the OTC Spotlight on New Technology Award.

WiSub operates as a brand under Transmark Subsea, with day-to-day execution through UK-registered Krona Subsea Ltd (Aberdeen). Revenue is generated via direct B2B hardware sales and custom engineering projects to subsea equipment OEMs, offshore energy operators (Equinor, DOF Subsea), defense contractors (Saab Dynamics), and subsea technology integrators (Kongsberg Maritime, Sonardyne, NOV). Go-to-market combines bespoke sales engagement, government-backed R&D partnerships (Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, FINEP), conference presence at OTC, and participation in the GCE Ocean Technology cluster. No external venture or growth equity funding rounds have been disclosed.

Name

WiSub

Legal name

WiSub

Website

https://wisub.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

WiSub is a Norwegian subsea technology company developing patented pinless (contactless) underwater connectors that transfer power and data through seawater for offshore energy operators, defense contractors, and AUV/ROV equipment manufacturers. It operates as a brand of Krona Subsea Ltd under Transmark Subsea.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of proprietary pinless connector products including Maelstrom, Torden, Fonn, and Hvirfla. Products are sold as complete connection systems with varying power and data transfer capabilities for different subsea applications.
2. Custom Solution Development: Development and delivery of custom underwater docking solutions and integrated systems for specific customer requirements, such as AUV docking stations and instrument connections.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WiSub develops and sells patented pinless (contactless) underwater connector systems that simultaneously transfer power and data through seawater without physical pins or contacts. Its product line — Maelstrom, Torden, Fonn, and Hvirfla — uses high-frequency microwave electronics for data transfer (up to 600 Mbps) and inductive resonant power transfer (from 5W up to 3000W), targeting ROV operations, AUV docking stations, and subsea equipment requiring reliable wet-mate connections.

Product overview

WiSub offers a portfolio of pinless subsea connector products enabling wireless power and data transfer through seawater via patented microwave and inductive technologies. The product line includes Maelstrom (180W, 200 Mbps data), Torden (3kW, 600 Mbps data), Hvirfla (entry-level, 5-15W, 100 Mbps), and Fonn (250W, 600 Mbps). All products use standardized Ethernet and serial communication interfaces and feature alignment freedom, leak-free connections, and unlimited mating cycles compared to traditional pinned connectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TORDEN: High power pinless subsea connector delivering up to 3kW of power transfer across a gap, with 600 Mbps Ethernet and Serial data transfer capabilities.
• MAELSTROM
• HVIRFLA
• FONN

Products and services

• Maelstrom Award-winning pinless underwater connector for simultaneous data and power transfer via microwave and inductive links. Provides 200–300 Mbps Ethernet + Serial data transfer with 180W power output at user-selectable 12–30 VDC, designed for instrumentation applications with flexible mounting and a transparent Ethernet interface.
• Torden High-power pinless subsea connector delivering 600 Mbps Ethernet + Serial data transfer with up to 3000W power transfer (400VDC / 250VAC). Uses gap-tolerant resonant power transfer with large 0-to-10 mm mating tolerances for high-power subsea applications.
• Hvirfla Miniaturized, rugged, and affordable pinless connector for harsh environments. Compact package with lower power consumption (5–15W output, 8–36 VDC input) supporting 100 Mbps Ethernet and serial protocols (RS232, RS485) for cost-sensitive subsea deployments.
• Fonn Versatile multi-purpose pinless subsea connector combining 600 Mbps high-speed microwave data transfer with 250W resonant inductive power transfer at 24 VDC. Features 360° continuous rotation tolerance and wide misalignment tolerances for flexible operational deployment, including AUV docking and instrument connections (deployed on Equinor's AUV docking station as the Fonn Observation Unit).
• Custom AUV and Underwater Docking Solutions Bespoke underwater docking solutions integrating WiSub pinless connectors — including delivered AUV docking stations and instrument docking stations with camera and lighting mounted via pinless connection — for operators with specific resident subsea requirements such as long-term remote AUV operation and seabed-based sensor hubs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Data transfer rates up to 600 Mbps through seawater via microwave link
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Equinor (formerly Statoil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Leading the Universal AUV Connection initiative to enable long-term remote operation of underwater vehicles through battery charging and high-bandwidth data transfer via seabed-based docking station. Project consortium led by WiSub with Equinor driving the initiative.
• Kongsberg MaritimecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Consortium partner in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration involving companies and universities from Brazil, Norway, Poland, Sweden and UK.
• Saab DynamicscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Consortium partner in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration. Part of international effort to develop universal interface for AUV docking.
• SonardynecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Consortium partner in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration. Contributing to development of system-independent standard in AUV connection.
• Swire SeabedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Consortium partner in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration.
• easySubseacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Consortium partner leading Brazil side of the Universal AUV Connection project. Experts in pinless power and data connections and wireless underwater communication.
• Bergen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Academic consortium partner in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration.
• Federal University of Rio de JaneirocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Academic consortium partner from Brazil in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration.
• Warsaw University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 2017Academic consortium partner from Poland in Universal AUV Connection international R&D collaboration.
• Research Council of NorwaysupportingOthers · 10 August 2017Financial support for project 262516 under Petromaks2 funding program. Joint industry project support.
• Finep (Brazil)supportingOthers · 10 August 2017Brazil's R&D funding body providing financial support for the Universal AUV Connection joint industry project.
• DOF SubseacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2017Two Norwegian companies embarked on development and testing of new underwater power & data connection system to reduce cost and improve efficiency of vessel-based offshore ROV operations. DOF Subsea, a leading provider of integrated subsea services, cooperating with WiSub to set a new standard in subsea connection.
• National Oilwell Varco (NOV)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2017Torden High Power Pinless Subsea Connector developed in collaboration with National Oilwell Varco (NOV). Strategic product development partnership for high-power subsea connection technology.
• Innovation NorwaysupportingOthersTorden product development supported by Innovation Norway, Norway's trade and investment promotion agency.
• GCE Ocean TechnologysupportingOthersWiSub is a member of GCE Ocean Technology, Norway's Global Centre of Expertise for ocean technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TE Connectivity: Global electronic connector and sensor manufacturer with deep subsea and oil-and-gas exposure, including wet-mate connectors. Far larger scale and customer reach than WiSub; could enter the contactless subsea connector space through internal development or M&A.
• Teledyne Marine: Broad subsea and oceanographic equipment manufacturer including connectors, imaging, and AUV platforms. A scaled incumbent in adjacent subsea product categories that could expand into contactless power and data transfer for AUV docking applications.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Major subsea technology and AUV manufacturer, also a Universal AUV Connection consortium partner. A broad incumbent serving offshore, maritime, and defense with both AUV platforms and subsea instrumentation, capable of integrating or competing with pinless connector technology.
• Siemens Energy (Subsea): Supplies subsea power and electrification systems, including subsea connectors and distribution modules for offshore oil and gas. A natural broad incumbent that could compete with or acquire pinless subsea connection technology as the industry electrifies.

Regional players

• DOF Subsea: Norway-based integrated subsea services provider and a named WiSub customer/partner for ROV operations optimization. While primarily an offshore services operator rather than a connector manufacturer, it represents a regional demand-side counterpart shaping subsea equipment specifications.

Direct peers

• BIRNS: Manufacturer of high-performance subsea electrical connectors, cables, and penetrators serving offshore, defense, and oceanographic markets. Directly competes with WiSub in the underwater electrical connection category, particularly for harsh-environment applications.
• Sonardyne: Subsea technology provider of acoustic positioning, inertial navigation, and underwater communications, listed as a WiSub Universal AUV Connection consortium partner. Comparable in serving AUV and subsea robotics markets, though its core capability is acoustic rather than contactless microwave.
• Subsea Energy Solutions (Hydro Group): Subsea electrical and optical connector specialist (formerly Hydro Group) serving offshore oil and gas, defense, and oceanographic customers. Directly comparable to WiSub in providing underwater connection systems, though using traditional wet-mate pinned technology.
• MacArtney (SubConn): Established manufacturer of subsea wet-mate electrical connectors (SubConn product line), representing the incumbent pinned-connector approach that WiSub's pinless technology aims to disrupt. Operates globally with deep oil-and-gas distribution channels.
• easySubsea: Direct competitor in pinless subsea power and data connections, listed as a consortium partner in WiSub's Universal AUV Connection project. easySubsea specializes in wireless underwater communication and connectorless power transfer, making it the most directly comparable competitor in WiSub's niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wisub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WiSub