Brand: Blackberry

BlackBerry, once a global leader in mobile technology, was founded in 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin in Waterloo, Ontario. Originally named Research In Motion (RIM), the company initially focused on developing wireless communication technology. BlackBerry gained worldwide fame in the early 2000s with its iconic smartphones, which featured physical keyboards, secure email capabilities, and the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service. These devices became synonymous with business professionals and were widely regarded as essential tools for productivity and communication, earning the nickname “CrackBerry” due to their addictive nature.

At its peak, BlackBerry dominated the smartphone market, but it faced intense competition from Apple’s iPhone and Android devices in the late 2000s. Despite its decline in the consumer smartphone market, BlackBerry pivoted to focus on software, cybersecurity, and enterprise solutions, leveraging its expertise in secure communications. In 2016, the company ceased producing its own hardware and transitioned to licensing its brand to other manufacturers. Today, BlackBerry is a leader in cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with its QNX software powering millions of vehicles and critical infrastructure worldwide. While no longer a smartphone giant, BlackBerry remains a symbol of Canadian innovation and technological excellence, with its headquarters still based in Waterloo, Ontario.

Founded: Canada
Owned: Canada
Manufactured: Historically in Canada and Mexico (hardware); now primarily focused on software and cybersecurity.