From War to Life-Saving Innovation – The Story Behind Nordiq Products.

A defining experience on the battlefield. In 2011, deep in the chaos of war in Afghanistan, Mats Hetling found himself in a situation that would change his life forever.

An Afghan military vehicle had hit a roadside bomb, and several soldiers were badly injured. As a medic, Mats focused on stabilizing one of the wounded. Meanwhile, another soldier stopped breathing – without anyone noticing. By the time it became clear what had happened, it was too late.

The moment burned itself into Mats' mind; this could have been avoided – if only there had been a solution for continuous monitoring of breathing and alerting to life-threatening changes.

Back in Norway, Mats began searching for such technology. He found nothing. It was the start of an idea that would develop into a vital innovation.

From soldier to innovator

With 10 years of service in the Armed Forces, Mats had broad operational experience:

  • Infantry team leader

  • Instructor and platoon leader at the command school

  • Mentor for an Afghan troop leader

  • Liaison officer to Afghan EOD and US Navy EOD

  • Second-in-command of a route clearance squad in Afghanistan

The experiences in demanding and life-threatening situations made it clear:
Medics need better tools to monitor and save lives in the field.

After the military service, Mats spent five years in the construction industry, where he worked in administration, quality assurance and HSE. He later became a manager at Fonn, but the idea of developing a life-saving solution never left his mind.

The vision was clear:
To create a reliable solution for continuous monitoring of vital signs in the field.

In 2017, he founded Nordiq Products to make his vision a reality.

The search for the right technology

The first idea was a whistle-like device that could be integrated into a throat tube placed down the patient's throat and make a sound as long as the person breathed. Several concepts were developed, but conversations with healthcare professionals revealed that the solution was not perfect. It is not ideal to place an object down the throat of an unconscious patient.
Nordiq needed a different solution.

The breakthrough: LiSa™ is born

In 2019, Mats met Lise Lyngsnes Randeberg , professor of biomedical optics at NTNU. She had an idea in her drawer that could change everything – a sensor with the potential to revolutionize vital signs monitoring.

This meeting led to a technological turning point for Nordiq. LiSa™ was born.

With a unique combination of optical and acoustic sensors, LiSa™ is now being developed to provide continuous monitoring of breathing, pulse and oxygen saturation – even in extreme environments.

Lise and Mats received an entrepreneur grant from the Adolf Øiens Foundation.

Lise and Mats received an entrepreneur grant from the Adolf Øiens Foundation.

Team

Nordiq Products is led by a strong team with expertise in first aid, medtech, optical sensor systems and commercialization. The team combines deep technical knowledge with hands-on experience from demanding environments, which provides a unique advantage in the development of LiSa™.

  • Mats Hetling

    Chief Executive Officer & Founder

    Former lieutenant and medic in the Norwegian Armed Forces with extensive experience from Afghanistan.

    Insight into the market for prehospital monitoring equipment.

    Leads the company's strategy, partner contact and commercial initiatives.

  • Professor Lise Randeberg

    Inventor, Senior Scientific Advisor & Co-Founder

    Professor of biomedical optics and photonics at NTNU.

    Over 25 years of experience in sensor development, light-tissue interactions and medical technology.

    Leading expert in multiwavelength PPG and light-based physiological measurement.

  • Ine Mari Vevang

    Chief Technical Officer

    MSc in Nanotechnology with specialization in Bio-Optical Systems and AI.

    Leads technological development of LiSa™, including hardware, algorithms and product design.

  • Andreas Sundsbo

    Development Engineer

    MSc in Electronic System Design and Innovation.

    Wrote the master's thesis for Nordiq on current technology in LiSa™.

  • Emil Asbjørnslett

    Chief Finance Officer & Co-Founder

    Economist and entrepreneur with successful exit from start-up.

    Expertise in capital raising, financial strategy and growth companies.

  • Vegard Midjo

    Chief Business Officer

    MSc in Product Development and Production, experience from the medtech industry.

    Responsible for business development, capital raising, investor relations and communication.

  • Are Loseth

    Chief Medical Officer

    Doctor with expertise in prehospital medicine.

    Experience as a doctor for Norwegian special forces.

    Ensures that LiSa™ meets clinical requirements and user needs in the field.

  • Ingrid Marie Løvold

    Internal
    Student MSc Physics and Mathematics, NTNU.
    Background from the Armed Forces.
    Part-time employee.

Board

Nordiq Products has a competent and experienced board of directors, composed of leading experts in medtech, finance, innovation and the healthcare industry. The board provides strategic guidance for the company's growth, regulatory approvals and commercialization.

The board combines strong industrial experience, commercial insight and regulatory expertise, ensuring that Nordiq has a long-term strategy for commercialization and growth.

  • Emil Asbjørnslett

    Chairman & CFO

    Economist and entrepreneur with experience in startup financing and strategic growth.

    Previous exit with Heat Experience.

    Leads the company's financial strategy.

  • Marie-Lois Little

    MSc in Medical Engineering.

    Board member of several medical technology companies in the US and EU.

    Former investment manager with a focus on health and medical technology.

  • Ingvald Grindheim

    Over 15 years of experience in project management and business development.

    Founder and former CEO of Grasp, a medtech company.

  • MD Geir Riise

    Senior advisor at Skagerak Consulting.

    Chairman of the Board of the Norwegian Cancer Society.

    Former Secretary General of the Norwegian Medical Association.

  • Ole Martin Dahl

    MBA and MSc in innovation.

    Former Product Director for Emergency Medical and Trauma Equipment at Laerdal Medical.