Douglas Fregin
Canadian businessman and electrical engineer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
| Education | University of Windsor (BS) |
| Known for | Co-founding Research in Motion Design of the BlackBerry device |
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.