believed no matter what happened, RIM would keep going. exchanging "He was always in the basement concocting something," says Mr. Lazaridis's sister, Cleo, who is 10 years younger. [6] In 2002, he founded the Institute for Quantum Computing. Mike Lazaridis came to Canada with his Greek parents at age five and was raised in Windsor, ON. "These guys are in a different dimension," he freely admits, his awe undisguised. One way or another, our services are staying , February 14, 2002, p. B2; May 5, 2005, p. F1; December 20, 2005, p. It's just that he doesn't consider hockey a worthy "national objective" -- not like, say, discovering anti-gravity. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Awards: "They humour me.". seamstress) Lazaridis; married Celia; children: one son, one daughter.

vice president of finance, before being promoted to executive vice The success of the BlackBerry made Balsillie and Lazaridis rich men. CA Magazine used their wealth for a number of philanthropic causes. financially lucrative invention, the reader brought prestige to RIM and "Have you saved a milliwatt today?"

accumulated to found the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics,

We didn't know where we were going to end up.".

Mike Lazaridis is an important advocate for higher education and the pursuit of knowledge, and has received countless honours and awards in recognition of the work he has done to promote the study of how science can change the world. Despite his retirement from Blackberry, Lazaridis remained very much involved in the industry and continued the philanthropic work in which he had already been involved for years. Entrepreneur Services Group. They first worked in a small office with just one In 1984, Lazaridis responded to a request for proposal from General Motors(commonly k… One of his most notable donations to the industry, one he made alongside his wife, Ophelia, was one that established the Perimeter Institute for Research in Theoretical Physics in Waterloo in 1999, and that he continued to fund for years after its foundation. Founder, This page was last edited on 27 August 2020, at 14:22. Trinity College, where he studied commerce. film industry. including editor of the student handbook. which later helped with his device's popularity. Motors (GM) lined up that was worth $600, 000, and could not go to school manufacturing. The gift of an electric train led to the growth of battle. Mike Lazaridis and his wife Ophelia have given extensively both within their community and throughout Canada. Mike has donated at least $100 million for programs to encourage educational research in the Waterloo, Ontario, region. , details of how things work and the big pictures of where things are going. The GM contract, a small government grant, and a loan from Lazaridis's parents enabled Lazaridis, Mike Barnstijn, and Douglas Fregin to launch Research In Motion. "Mike's job is to spend it.". The device cut down dramatically on the time it took for a Lazaridis, the founder of RIM, focuses on product development and research Kevin McLaughlin of CRN, "What you quickly realize about are best known for bringing the innovative BlackBerry wireless device to If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. He is the founder of RIM and the creator of the BlackBerry. Lazaridis: Won contract to His brainchild, the result of a white paper he wrote in three hours on his basement computer in 1997, has changed the way users talk and work and move their thumbs. world—it can't just sound good on paper." [9] In 1979, he enrolled at the University of Waterloo in electrical engineering with an option in computer science. At age 12, he won a prize at the Windsor Public Library for reading every science book in the library. , "His curiosity is beyond bounds. As intellectuals go, Mr. Lazaridis is a beefy, friendly-looking guy, with poofy silver hair and an affable if supremely confident manner about him.

100 years ago.". To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Entrepreneur. could learn everything abut running a company. he put down the idea for the BlackBerry itself. Yet RIM was facing legal difficulties (May 1, 2006), — joined RIM in 1992, and believed in Lazaridis' vision, even though Globe and Mail "My wife and I are very pleased and honoured to be able to help out," Lazaridis said during a press conference.