Mike Lazaridis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Lazaridis
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Mike Lazaridis portrait via the Royal Society
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| 8th Chancellor of the University of Waterloo | |
| In office 2003–2009 |
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| Preceded by | Val O'Donovan |
| Succeeded by | Prem Watsa |
| President/Vice Chancellor | David Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mihal Lazaridis
March 14, 1961 Istanbul, Turkey |
| Alma mater | University of Waterloo (dropped out in 1984, honorary degree in 2000) |
| Occupation | Founder & Managing Partner, Quantum Valley Investments Founder, BlackBerry Limited |
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| Awards | |
Mihal "Mike" Lazaridis (born March 14, 1961) is a Greek Canadian businessman and investor. He is best known for co-founding Research In Motion (RIM). This company created the famous BlackBerry wireless phone.
Mike was a top leader at BlackBerry (RIM) for many years, serving as co-CEO until 2012. He believes that basic science can change the world. In 2013, he started Quantum Valley Investments with his childhood friend Douglas Fregin. This company helps new ideas in quantum information science grow.
He also founded the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in 1999. This institute is a leading center for studying physics. In 2002, he started the Institute for Quantum Computing. Mike was also a chancellor of the University of Waterloo. He has received the Order of Canada for his achievements.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mike Lazaridis was born in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 14, 1961. His parents, Nick and Dorothy Lazaridis, were Pontic Greek. When he was five, his family moved to Canada in 1966. They settled in Windsor, Ontario.
Mike loved science from a young age. When he was 12, he won an award from the Windsor Public Library. He earned it for reading every science book in the library!
In 1979, he began studying electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Waterloo.
Building BlackBerry
In 1984, Mike Lazaridis got a big opportunity. General Motors (GM) asked for ideas to create a new computer control system. Mike responded to their request. GM was impressed and gave him a contract.
He decided to leave university that year, just two months before he was supposed to graduate. With the GM contract, a small government grant, and a loan from his parents, Mike started Research In Motion (RIM). He founded the company with Mike Barnstijn and Douglas Fregin.
One of RIM's first inventions was a barcode reader for film. The money they made from this invention helped them research wireless data transmission. This research led to the first BlackBerry wireless device in 1999. A more famous version came out in 2002.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Mike Lazaridis and his wife, Ophelia, are known for their generous donations. They have supported many important projects in the Waterloo area.
- In 2000, Mike founded the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He donated over $170 million to help it grow.
- In 2002, he and Ophelia founded the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo. They donated over $100 million to this institute.
- In 2015, Mike gave $20 million to Wilfrid Laurier University. This money helped create a new technology-focused management institute. The business school was renamed the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics in his honor.
Awards and Recognition
Mike Lazaridis has received many awards for his work and contributions.
- In 1999, the University of Waterloo gave him an honorary engineering degree.
- In 2003, he became the eighth chancellor of the University of Waterloo.
- Maclean's magazine recognized him as a distinguished Canadian in 2000.
- In 2002, readers of The Globe and Mail newspaper named him Canada's Nation Builder of the Year.
- In 2006, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of the Order of Ontario. These are high honors in Canada.
- In 2014, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very respected scientific award.
Mike also received an Academy Award in 1999. This was for his technical achievements in creating a high-speed barcode reader for film editing. The same invention won an Emmy in 1994.
Images for kids
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Mike Lazaridis portrait via the Royal Society
See also
- List of Canadians by net worth
- List of University of Waterloo people
