For over 30 years I've been creating pioneering companies in the computer games, technology, telecom, and software space, with numerous successes and innovations to my name. I am a frequent speaker at many of the leading video- and mobile games and technology conferences world wide.

My career started at the tender age of 10 years old when I got my first computer, a Commodore Pet. Later more computers followed such as Commodore Vic-20, Acorn, BBC, MSX, Commodore 64, Atari ST and Commodore Amiga among others. I immediately became hooked on programming and in the 1980s I became a prominent figure in the infamous Commodore 64 and Amiga demoscene.

I started my first business at the age of 13, selling 3rd party software and games to other Commodore 64 owners. I enterprisingly found customers by using contact information from marketplaces in different computer magazines. In 1987, at the age of 16, I single-handedly launched my first software development company, creating a sophisticated production and order system for Strømmen Trevarefabrikk AS, at that time one of Norway’s largest housing manufacturers.  As well as building houses, they produced a vast array of housing items such as window frames, doors, and furnishings for the construction industry. Subsequently, Strømmen Trevarefabrikk AS acquired my company.

In 1994, building on my earlier success, I founded a new IT and software consulting company with a focus on developing invoicing, order and and CRM systems in addition to core IVR & Value Added Services (VAS) for the telecoms industry.

1995 was a pivotal year for the computer games industry with Sony’s launch of the pioneering Playstation console. Inspired by this, as well as my earlier passion for games, I got together with some friends from the former Commodore 64 and Amiga demoscene and founded the company Digiment, which would go on to become a highly successful computer games development studio. Digiment was officially incorporated in 1996, with which I took the position of Chief Technology Officer until 1999.

Whilst continuing to support Digiment in my role as CTO, in 1999 I embarked on a new software development and IT consulting venture. This time around, the firm specialised in developing bespoke software solutions for key industries. The focus became developing advanced application software for the telecoms industry, creating innovative communication and payment solutions for a broad set of customers. After Telenor, Norway’s largest telecoms operator, acquired the core telecoms platform developed by my company, I joined their team. In my position at Telenor, I was responsible for, amongst other things, the development of Norway’s first e-wallet and mobile payments system, a joint project between Telenor and DNB, Norway’s largest bank, and online.no, one of Norway's largest Internet portals.

After my time at Telenor, in 2002 I reassumed my CTO role full-time at Digiment and became pivotal in helping the company become one of the leading mobile games development studios in the Java mobile era from 2002 to 2011. Major titles developed include the Marv The Miner franchise, Digiment's own intellectual property; and Silent Hill Mobile, the mobile version of the infamous Silent Hill franchise created by the Japanese publisher Konami.

 

In March 2005, I was approached by the Norwegian private investor Christian Eidem. He had in 2004 invested in a company called Cactus Mobile. The company had experienced massive delays and failures to develop and launch its technology, products and services and the company had ran out of funds. Mr Eidem contacted me to ask if I could help turn the company around. I undertook the role to support the company as CTO, being hands on and lead the development. The company consisted of 3 developers, 1 product manager and 1 CEO. I lead a team of 3 developers and 1 product manager, and within 2 months I had successfully and single handedly developed the first MVP of the company's core product, Core Cactus Mobile Platform, its distributed middleware platform for rapidly prototype, develop and launch interactive products and services for mobile phone users and telecom operators, and I successfully launched a number of products and services. The middleware platform included a TV- and video streaming platform with automatic billing. Within the next 3 months the company's revenue increased to USD$100,000 monthly net revenue.

I've got a strong passion for and broad experience with Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and computer vision. In 2016, I founded Conspexit, where I serve as both CEO & CTO. Conspexit is empowering people with visual impairments to experience a world without limitations with the mission to create a single intelligent application that has the power to transform lives and to raise awareness about sight loss and become a champion for a more inclusive society.

​I'm an advocate for inclusivity and equality and I work for the importance of freedoms of Peace, Health, Education, Equality, and Justice. These values are always part of the DNA of every company I've founded. My foundation engages in social change for good through education, equality, inspiration, and diversity. Further, I am an ambassador and advocate for some selected international charitable and social enterprise projects and foundations.

I'm also an advocate for "ending the war on drugs", to decriminalise drug possession and use. The infamous Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has written about the drug reform on his blog. You can also read it on the website to the Global Commission on Drug Policy, where Sir Richard is one of the several commissioners.

I'm humble and honoured to have been invited on a some trips together with my friend Sir Richard Branson. He never let any opportunity pass to pull someone's leg when he has the chance. Richard gave me a good scare on a safari visiting his private game reserve in Ulusaba, South Africa.

I've travelled across the world being fortunate enough to visit every continent and I've had the privilege to spend time with people such as Sir Richard Branson, and people such as Kofi Annan, Mary Robinson (first woman president of Ireland), Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland (first woman prime minister of Norway), The Elders, Cynthia Germanotta (Lady Gaga’s mother) and many other inspirational and outstanding people working for the freedoms of Peace, Education and Health and the force for good.

I hope you’ll find the content here interesting and engaging; learn something new and, hopefully, look at a few things differently. I’d love to hear from you - don’t hesitate to get in touch!