Thelma Biotel

What Thelma Biotel does

Thelma Biotel AS is a Norwegian acoustic telemetry company headquartered in Trondheim, founded in 2008 to commercialize underwater wireless communication technology developed at NTH and SINTEF in the 1970s and previously sold through the predecessor entity Thelma from 2002. The company designs, manufactures, and sells configurable acoustic transmitters (6-16mm diameter), digital receivers (TBR 800 family), supporting software, and accessories for aquatic animal tracking, aquaculture monitoring, and subsea energy infrastructure inspection. Its core technology is digital signal processing (DSP) operating in the 63-77 kHz frequency band, with proprietary features including multi-frequency simultaneous reception (up to 3 frequencies), dynamic signal thresholding with SNR-based detection filtering, Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) positioning via the PinPoint service, modular receiver architecture, and Bluetooth wireless data access.

The product portfolio spans five categories: transmitters (configurable 6-16mm tags plus the long-life XP56 with 7+ year battery life and 500m depth rating); receivers (TBR 800 standard, TBR 800 Release to 200m, TBR 800 Release Deep to 750m, and the compact Live receiver); software (ComPort for data upload/analysis and LiveView for real-time field visualization); accessories (DeckBox Field Kit, Focus Directional Amplifier, Mooring Recovery System); and the Link LoRa remote real-time transmission system (LoRaWAN, up to 5km range). All products use open acoustic protocols interoperable with the European Tracking Network and Ocean Tracking Network, allowing cross-manufacturer detection.

Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of transmitters and receivers, supplemented by professional services (PinPoint positioning analysis, custom firmware/transmitter development) and software licenses. Distribution is direct via email, phone, and the Tag Builder web-based configuration tool; no public pricing is disclosed. The customer base is concentrated in academic and government marine research: universities (NTNU, DTU Aqua, SLU, NMBU, University of Alberta), research institutes (AZTI), intergovernmental bodies (ICCAT), and global telemetry networks (ETN, OTN). The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or external funding rounds, and operates with a small team.

Name

Thelma Biotel

Legal name

Thelma Biotel AS

Website

https://thelmabiotel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Thelma Biotel AS manufactures configurable acoustic telemetry transmitters, digital receivers, and supporting software for tracking aquatic animals, monitoring aquaculture operations, and inspecting subsea energy infrastructure, serving universities, research institutes, and global telemetry networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Acoustic Telemetry Equipment

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Sensors, Instrumentation & IoT (Condition Monitoring) (IMAJAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Identification & Tracking Devices (Microchips, RFID, Tags, Scanners) (HLAMAFAL)

Keywords

• Acoustic telemetry hardware
• Underwater animal tracking
• Acoustic transmitters receivers
• Aquaculture monitoring systems
• Underwater wireless communication

Headquarters

HQ city

Trondheim

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Acoustic Transmitter Sales: Sale of configurable acoustic transmitters in 5 sizes (6-16mm diameter) with various sensor options for aquatic animal tracking, aquaculture monitoring, and equipment monitoring applications. Products include multisensor transmitters, temperature-only tags, and ID-only tags.
2. Acoustic Receiver Sales: Sale of digital acoustic receivers including TBR 800 (standard), TBR 800 Release (with acoustic release for depths to 200m), TBR 800 Release Deep (for depths 200-750m), Live compact receiver, and Link LoRa real-time system.
3. PinPoint Positioning Service: Data analysis service for fine-scale 2D and 3D positioning using time difference of arrival methodology. Includes receiver grid setup guidance, data collection support, and comprehensive positioning analysis reports.
4. Software Licenses: ComPort and LiveView software products for data management, visualization, and analysis. Software enables receiver configuration, firmware updates, data upload, and export to CSV or ETN database.
5. Custom Development Services: Participation in research with development of customer-specified acoustic transmitters, tailor-made firmware, special codes, sensor data packing protocols, and advising on deployment setups.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Thelma Biotel manufactures and sells digital acoustic telemetry hardware — configurable transmitters (6–16 mm), receivers (TBR 800 family, Live, Link LoRa), and supporting software (ComPort, LiveView) — for tracking aquatic animals, monitoring aquaculture operations, and monitoring offshore subsea equipment. The company also offers the PinPoint data-analysis service for fine-scale 2D/3D positioning of tagged animals using TDOA methodology.

Product overview

Thelma Biotel is a Norwegian company offering end-to-end acoustic telemetry solutions for aquatic animal tracking, aquaculture monitoring, and offshore energy applications. The product portfolio spans five hardware categories: (1) Transmitters — Configurable 6–16 mm acoustic sensor tags (including the long-life XP56) with sensor options for depth, temperature, activity, tilt, mortality, conductivity, and salinity; (2) Receivers — the TBR 800 family (standard, Release, Release Deep) plus the compact Live receiver and the Link LoRa remote real-time system; (3) Software — ComPort for data upload/analysis and LiveView for live tracking and receiver communication; (4) Accessories — DeckBox Field Kit, Focus Directional Amplifier, and Mooring Recovery System; and (5) Services — the PinPoint positioning service for fine-scale 2D/3D tracking. All products use open acoustic protocols (63–77 kHz) and are interoperable across the Thelma Biotel ecosystem and compatible receiver networks such as the European Tracking Network (ETN).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thelma Detect: Detection solution for aquaculture monitoring
• Thelma Insight
• PinPoint
• ComPort
• LiveView

Products and services

• Configurable 6–16 mm Acoustic Transmitters Multisensor acoustic transmitters for tracking aquatic animals and monitoring underwater equipment, sold to research institutes, universities, aquaculture operators, and offshore energy companies.
• XP56 Long-Life Transmitter Long-life 16 mm acoustic transmitter designed for multi-year deployments such as long-term subsea infrastructure and aquaculture cage monitoring.
• TBR 800 Acoustic Receiver Robust modular digital acoustic receiver for shallow to mid-depth deployments used by researchers and aquaculture operators to detect and log signals from acoustic transmitters.
• TBR 800 Release Receiver TBR 800 receiver variant with motor-driven acoustic release for recoverable deployments at depths up to 200 m.
• TBR 800 Release Deep Receiver Deep-rated variant of the TBR 800 Release with a stronger acoustic release motor for receiver recovery from 200–750 m depths.
• Live Compact Receiver Compact digital multi-frequency acoustic receiver with millisecond-precision timestamping for fine-scale positioning and real-time detection output.
• Link LoRa Remote Real-Time Tracking System Remote real-time tracking system combining a Live receiver with a LoRa radio module to relay acoustic detections wirelessly up to 5 km for live monitoring.
• ComPort Software Desktop application for configuring Thelma Biotel receivers, uploading detection logs, visualizing data, updating firmware, and exporting to CSV or ETN-compatible formats.
• LiveView Software Live tracking and visualization software for streaming acoustic detections in real time, performing two-way communication with receivers, and sending acoustic release commands.
• DeckBox Field Kit Topside field kit combining a rugged waterproof tablet, Bluetooth unit, and Live receiver for real-time two-way communication with deployed TBR 800 receivers in the field.
• Focus Directional Amplifier Field Kit Precision acoustic reflector that fits over the Live transceiver to amplify signals within ±15° of the target bearing and pinpoint transmitter bearing.
• Mooring Recovery System (MRS) Buoy-based mooring recovery system providing buoyancy and rope drum for clean recovery of TBR 800 Release receivers and mooring components after release.
• PinPoint Positioning Service Data-analysis service providing fine-scale 2D and 3D tracking of tagged aquatic animals using TDOA methodology, delivered as a detailed positioning report.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ Atlantic Bluefin tuna tagged with Thelma Biotel transmitters providing data for the next decade through compatible receiver networks
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• European Tracking Network (ETN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThelma Biotel is an active participant in the European Tracking Network, a pan-European acoustic receiver infrastructure. Their TBR 800 receivers are compatible with ETN open protocols, enabling data sharing and collaborative research across the network. Over 400 Atlantic Bluefin tuna have been detected through the ETN using Thelma Biotel receivers combined with receiver grids from other manufacturers.
• Ocean Tracking Network (OTN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOTN supplied receivers for the Chic-Choc Mountains aquatic ecosystem research project conducted by University of Alberta and NMBU researchers using Thelma Biotel technology. OTN is a major international acoustic telemetry tracking network supporting global marine science collaborations.
• DTU Aqua (Technical University of Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTU Aqua leads Atlantic Bluefin tuna tagging research in Scandinavian waters using Thelma Biotel 16mm transmitters. Project includes collaboration with SLU VFM, ICCAT, and recreational fishers to study tuna behavior, migration routes, and habitat use for stock management.
• AZTI (Basque research institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZTI leads the Bay of Biscay pelagic shark research project including design and deployment of the Basque Tracking Network (BTN) with 27 Thelma Biotel receivers. Dr. Maite Erauskin-Extramiana directs research on blue shark movements and ecosystem dynamics in this previously understudied area.
• NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTNU researchers used Thelma Biotel's PinPoint positioning system to tag 70 king crabs in Gamvikfjorden over two years, resulting in data that informed optimized fishing strategy for the invasive species turned profitable resource.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Innovasea: Global leader in acoustic telemetry (formerly VEMCO/Halifax) and aquatic animal monitoring, offering transmitters, receivers, and software for research and aquaculture. Most direct competitor to Thelma Biotel across both research and commercial aquaculture segments.
• Star-Oddi: Icelandic manufacturer of data storage tags and acoustic transmitters for fish and wildlife research. Comparable in miniature acoustic tag form factors and embedded sensor integration.
• Hydroacoustic Technology Inc (HTI): Designs acoustic telemetry and hydroacoustic equipment for fisheries research and stock assessment. Directly comparable in transducer/receiver technology and target research customers.
• Sonotronics: Specialist in ultrasonic acoustic transmitters and receivers for fish and aquatic animal tracking. Smaller-scale but directly competing in the same acoustic telemetry niche as Thelma Biotel.
• Lotek Wireless: Manufactures acoustic and radio telemetry tags, receivers, and fish-tracking systems for wildlife research and aquaculture. Closely comparable product portfolio and customer base to Thelma Biotel.
• Desert Star Systems: Marine acoustic telemetry and acoustic release systems provider, overlapping with Thelma's TBR 800 Release product line in subsea receiver recovery applications.

Broad incumbents

• AKVA Group: Leading aquaculture technology supplier offering sea cage monitoring, fish welfare, and operational software. Comparable in the aquaculture-monitoring end market where Thelma Detect/Insight compete.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Major marine technology incumbent offering acoustic sensors, instrumentation, and subsea monitoring solutions. Overlaps with Thelma's offshore-energy mooring-line monitoring ambitions at much larger scale.
• Teledyne Marine: Broad marine instrumentation portfolio including acoustic devices and oceanographic sensors. Larger incumbent with overlapping capabilities in subsea acoustic sensing and instrumentation.

Others

• Cefas Technology: UK-based marine science organization developing acoustic telemetry tools and data platforms (e.g., SMART software). Ecosystem participant and adjacent technology provider in aquatic tracking.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThelmaBiotel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thelma-biotel-as
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelmabiotel

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Thelma Biotel