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RIM co-founder Mike Lazaridis, employee Chris Shaw and co-founder Doug Fregin display the Budgie, the company’s first product, at Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener, Ontario, 1984.[1]

Doug Fregin is a Canadian entrepreneur and engineer. He is best known as the co-founder of Research In Motion (now known as BlackBerry) alongside his childhood friend, Mike Lazaridis.

Early life and education

Fregin had been friends with Mike Lazaridis since grade school.^[2][3] Fregin studied electrical engineering at the University of Windsor.^[4] After university, they developed a video signaling device.^[5]

Research In Motion (RIM) and achievements

In 1984, Fregin and Lazaridis founded Research In Motion to market their device.^[6][7] In February 1985, they received a $15,000 Ontario New Ventures loan.^[3]

Fregin helped design the initial circuit boards used in the company's wireless technology.^[8]

Beyond the mobile industry, Fregin was also involved in the creation of other technologies at RIM. The DigiSync film reader, developed by RIM, significantly reduced the time required for post-production tasks in film editing. This technology earned RIM both an Emmy and a technical achievement award from the Academy Awards.^[9]

In recognition of his contributions, Fregin, along with Eastman Kodak and the National Film Board of Canada, received a Technology and Engineering Emmy Award in 1994 for the 'Development of a Keycode Reader'.^[10]

Ownership and philanthropy

As Research In Motion went public in 1997, Fregin's ownership stake in the company amounted to 5% of shares, valued at $23.6 million.^[6] Over the years, the value of his ownership increased, and in 2005, he owned 2.7% of RIM, which had a value of $396 million.^[6][11]

In 2000, Fregin donated $10 million to help found the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.^[6]

Fregin retired from his position as vice president of operations at RIM in May 2007.^[12] At that time, he held a 2% ownership stake in the company, valued at $1.3 billion.^[13]

Canadian Business estimated Fregin's net worth to be $1.72 billion in November 2007.^{[citation needed]}

Fregin sold all his stock in Research In Motion around the same time Apple released the first iPhone.^[14]

In response to strategic changes at BlackBerry, Fregin and Lazaridis established Quantum Valley Investments, a venture fund, in March 2013.^[12]

They also considered acquiring BlackBerry and engaged Goldman Sachs Group Inc and Centerview Partners LLC to review their options.^[12][3][15]

Personal life and recognition

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Fregin is known for his low-key and low-profile nature. He is a car enthusiast and participates in Toyota's charitable Pro/Celebrity Race.^[16]

Fregin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering by the University of Waterloo on June 19, 2022, for his achievements.^[17]

In popular culture

Fregin was played by Matt Johnson in the 2023 biographical film BlackBerry. Johnson also directed the film.

See also

• List of Canadians by net worth

Notes