| Name: | Mike Lazaridis |
| Net Worth: | $ 800 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Blackberry (Research in Motion) |
| Born: | Month 9, 1953 |
| Age: | |
| Country: | Greece / Canada |
| Wife: | Ophelia Wai Fong Lazaridis |
| Children: | 2 (son and daughter) |
| Residence: | Amberley, Canada (Lake Huron) |
| Private Jet: | Bombardier Global 6000 (C-GXBB) |
| Yacht | Artefact |
Mike Lazaridis, born in Turkey to Greek parents in 1961, moved to Canada with his family at the age of 5. Married to Ophelia and father to two children, Lazaridis is the founder of both BlackBerry / Research in Motion and Quantum Valley Investments.
At 12 years old, Lazaridis received an award at the Windsor Public Library for reading every science book in the library. He later enrolled at the University of Waterloo to study electrical engineering and co-founded RIM during his final year at the university. Lazaridis also holds an honorary doctoral degree in Engineering from the University of Waterloo and is the proud owner of the motor yacht Artefact.
BlackBerry Limited, a Canadian company specializing in enterprise software and the Internet of things, was originally named Research In Motion (RIM). The company is best known for its BlackBerry smartphone brand.
Founded in 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin, Research In Motion Limited began as a wireless data technology developer. In 1999, RIM introduced the BlackBerry 850 pager, named after the blackberry fruit due to its keyboard’s resemblance to the fruit’s druplets. The BlackBerry device could receive push emails, and in 2000, RIM introduced the first BlackBerry smartphone. Despite the Apple iPhone’s arrival in 2007, BlackBerry continued to experience market share growth well into 2011, boasting 22 million users in 2020.
Lazaridis, together with BlackBerry co-founder Douglas Fregin, established Quantum Valley Investments. The Quantum Valley Investment Fund provides financial and intellectual capital for the development and commercialization of quantum physics and quantum computing, aiming to transform early-stage breakthroughs and ideas into commercially viable products, technologies, and services.
With an estimated net worth of $800 million, Lazaridis beneficially owned 4.99% of BlackBerry, according to a 2013 SEC statement. His approximately 26 million shares were worth around $125 million. In 2011, at the peak of BlackBerry’s success, Forbes estimated his net worth at $1.9 billion.
Lazaridis actively engages in philanthropy through his Lazaridis Family Foundation. Alongside his wife Ophelia, they donated over $100 million to the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo in 2002. In 2012, they founded the Quantum-Nano Centre at the University of Waterloo.
Additionally, in 2015, Lazaridis donated $20 million to establish the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, a technology-focused management institute at Wilfrid Laurier University. In 2000, he founded the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MikeLazaridis
https://www.forbes.com/profile/mikelazaridis
https://quantumvalleyinvestments.com/about-
https://lazaridisinstitute.wlu.ca
https://uwaterloo.ca/ophelia-
When using the information from this article, please remember to give credit to SuperYachtFan. Our team works hard to provide accurate and engaging content for our readers, and we appreciate your support.
He and his wife Ophelia Lazaridis owns two large mansions. Their first residence is a large house on a private lake near Waterloo, Canada.
Their second house is a modern estate on Lake Huron. It has reportedly cost more than US$ 100 million.
Lake Huron is the second largest of North America’s Great Lakes, spanning an area of approximately 23,000 square miles. It is situated between the United States and Canada, with its eastern shores bordering the Canadian province of Ontario and its western shores touching the state of Michigan in the US. The lake is known for its crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and numerous recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and swimming. Additionally, Lake Huron’s scenic beauty, picturesque islands, and diverse wildlife make it a popular destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts alike.
He is the owner of the motor yacht Artefact, which was built by Nobiskrug in 2020.
Measuring 80 meters (263 ft) in length, Artefact is powered by two Caterpillar diesel engines, achieving an estimated top speed of 17.5 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. With a range of over 6,000 nautical miles, this yacht features a striking design and a cutting-edge hybrid propulsion system. Artefact is expected to be 30% more fuel-efficient than a comparable vessel with conventional diesel propulsion. Additionally, 23 square meters of solar panels on the sundeck generate 6kW of auxiliary power.
He owns a Bombardier Global 6000 private jet with registration C-
A Bombardier Global 6000 has a list price of US$ 60 million. It can accommodate 16 passengers.
The Bombardier Global 6000 is a long-range business jet produced by Bombardier Aerospace. It was introduced in 2010 and is part of the Bombardier Global family of aircraft. The Global 6000 has a maximum range of 6,000 nautical miles and can accommodate up to 19 passengers. It is equipped with advanced technologies and luxury amenities, including a spacious cabin, high-speed internet, and a full galley. The Global 6000 is popular among executives, government officials, and other individuals who require long-range travel capabilities and comfort. A Global 6000 has a list price of EUR 50 million.
(Photos by Planespotters.net ; flightaware.com; flickr.com; picssr.com; planefinder.net ) Do you want us to remove a certain photo? Or credit a source? Please send us a message
