Profile Of The Entrepreneur
Mr. Michael Lazaridis, Mike Co-founded Research In Motion Ltd and has been its Co-Chairman of the Board since December 16, 2010. Mr. Lazaridis serves as President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Research In Motion Limited. Mr. Lazaridis has been Director of Research In Motion Ltd. since 1984. He is Chancellor of University of Waterloo. In 2002, he established Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. In recognition of his leadership and innovation, he was named by the Globe and Mail as Canada's Nation Builder of the Year for 2002. He has more than fifty patents issued and has been granted dozens of industry and community awards for his innovations in wireless radio technology and software. Mr. Lazaridis holds an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.
Profile Of The Business
Founded : 1984
Employees : 1, 950
Headquarters : Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Offices : North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe
Led : Co-CEO Jim Balsillie and President and Co-CEO Mike Lazaridis
Key Dates:
1984: Research in Motion Ltd. (RIM) is founded by Mike Lazardis.
1988: RIM begins working on wireless data-only applications.
1996: RIM develops a PCMIA plug-in card for computer-enabled wireless e-mail.
1997: RIM goes public and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
1999: RIM introduces the BlackBerry personal digital assistant (PDA); Lazardis and a RIM coworker receive an Academy Award for technical achievement.
2000: The popular BlackBerry is named Product of the Year by InfoWorld; RIM launches its Wireless Handheld product line.
2002: RIM introduces the BlackBerry 5810, which incorporates cell phone service.
Research in Motion Ltd. is known primarily as the maker and provider of BlackBerry wireless devices and e-mail services. These always-on devices have proven popular with corporations who use them for field service representatives and other mobile employees. BlackBerry's service delivers e-mail messages from corporate servers to handheld BlackBerry devices. Some models also have voice capabilities and can function as cell phones. Other advanced features include the ability to visit specific web sites and conduct Internet searches. In addition, BlackBerry devices include other features common to personal digital assistants (PDAs), including calendars and organizers. In addition to wireless handheld devices, RIM also provides radio modems to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and software development kits for creating applications for BlackBerry Wireless Handhelds.
