Canada's Quantum Brain Trust

The man who co-invented the BlackBerry funds superfast subatomic research

- Natalie Wong and Jeremy Kahn, with Hugo Miller

It’s early days for quantum computers, the still mostly theoretical subatomic processors so powerful they can make our fastest super computer look like an abacus. Mike Lazaridis, the co-inventor of the BlackBerry, says that when it comes to quantum technology, he’s learned his lesson. He won’t be iPhoned again.

After years of watching his brand wither during the iPhone era, Lazaridis stepped down as the company’s co-chief executive officer in 2012 and devoted most of his energy to researching quantum technologies, including computers, sensors, and a wide range of other gear. With former BlackBerry colleague Doug Fregin, he’s poured more than $450 million into quantum projects over the past two decades and now spends much of his time running the $80 million venture company Quantum Valley Investments from his office in Waterloo, Ont., where BlackBerry Ltd. got its start.