Douglas Fregin

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.

Douglas Fregin
Alma materUniversity of Windsor (BS)
Known forfounding Research in Motion
images
image icon 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]

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 innovative device.[6][7] In February 1985, they received a $15,000 Ontario New Ventures loan.[3]

Fregin played a vital role in designing the initial circuit boards used in the company's wireless technology.[8]

Beyond Research In Motion's success in the mobile industry, Fregin was also involved in the creation of other groundbreaking technologies. The DigiSync film reader, developed by RIM, revolutionized the work of movie editors by significantly reducing the time required for post-production tasks. 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, 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.[14]

Fregin sold all his stock in Research In Motion around the same time Apple released the first iPhone.[15]

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][16]

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.[17]

He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering by the University of Waterloo on June 19, 2022, for his achievements.[18]

He was played by Matt Johnson in the 2023 biographical film BlackBerry.

See also

Notes
  2. "Mike Lazaridis, 2002". The Globe and Mail. November 17, 2009. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  3. "BlackBerry Ltd co-founders Lazaridis, Fregin consider takeover bid". financialpost. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  4. "Board Of Directors". Quantum Valley Ideas Lab. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  5. "Douglas Fregin: The Other RIM Guy". Canadian Business. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  6. Gagné, Claire (December 2, 2005). "Douglas Fregin — The Other RIM Guy". Canadian Business.
  7. The Agenda with Steve Paikin (May 12, 2016). "Losing the Signal". youtube. Retrieved June 5, 2023. Jacquie McNish, co-author of "Losing the Signal: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of BlackBerry," joins The Agenda to discuss the company's fate.
  8. "Douglas Fregin". Forbes. March 1, 2010. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  9. Friend, David (January 28, 2013). "RIM's rise and fall: A short history of Research In Motion". Global News .ca. The Canadian Press. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  10. "Doug Fregin : Management Team". Quantum Valley Investments. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  11. "70. Douglas Fregin: $651 million : The Rich 100 : The Rich List". canadianbusiness. St. Joseph Communications. December 4, 2006. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  12. Rushe, Dominic (October 10, 2013). "Blackberry co-founders considering bid for troubled company". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  13. Gray, John (September 10, 2007). "RIM". Canadian Business.
  14. Gray, John; Harman, Megan; McKeon, Lauren; Olijnyk, Zena; Ray, Regan (November 28, 2007). "The Rich 100: Canada's wealthiest people". canadianbusiness. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  17. Cox, John (2012). "In Pictures: 11 not entirely useless factoids about BlackBerry maker RIM". ARN. International Data Group. Network World. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  18. "University of Waterloo 2022 Convocation". YouTube. 2022.
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