Key Stats
- Founded in March 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin in Waterloo, Ontario
- Changed name from Research In Motion to BlackBerry Limited in July 2013
- Peak user base reached 79 million BlackBerry subscribers globally in December 2012
- Transitioned from smartphone manufacturer to cybersecurity and IoT software company under CEO John Chen
- Fiscal year 2024 revenue reached $853 million, primarily from cybersecurity and IoT divisions
Research In Motion Limited, now known as BlackBerry Limited, was founded in 1984 as a designer and manufacturer of wireless solutions for mobile communications. The Canadian company pioneered push email technology and dominated the smartphone market in the late 2000s with its signature physical keyboard devices. At its peak in 2010, BlackBerry held 37 percent of the US smartphone market with approximately 22 million users. However, the company struggled against the rapid rise of Apple iPhone and Android devices, facing challenges similar to those experienced by Nokia during the smartphone revolution, ultimately transitioning to enterprise software and cybersecurity solutions. Under CEO John Chen’s leadership since 2013, BlackBerry successfully pivoted to focus on secure communications, the Internet of Things, and endpoint security, securing a position in the evolving technology landscape.
Research In Motion Limited History
Research In Motion Limited Co-founders
Research In Motion Limited Market Cap
BlackBerry’s market capitalization peaked during smartphone boom years before declining significantly as iPhone and Android gained dominance. As of 2025, the company maintains approximately $2.6 billion market capitalization following transformation into software company.
Research In Motion Limited Acquisitions
Research In Motion pursued strategic acquisitions throughout its history to strengthen technological capabilities and expand market presence. In 2006, the company acquired Slipstream Data Inc, a network optimization and data compression software company that continued operating as wholly owned subsidiary from Waterloo headquarters. In 2009, RIM made significant acquisition of Certicom Corp, a cryptography company founded in 1985 specializing in elliptic-curve cryptography with over 350 patents worldwide, outbidding VeriSign to secure critical security technology patents.
Under CEO John Chen’s leadership beginning in 2013, BlackBerry shifted acquisition strategy toward enterprise software and cybersecurity capabilities. The company’s most transformative acquisition came in 2019 when BlackBerry purchased Cylance for $1.4 billion in cash. Cylance brought pioneering artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities for predicting and preventing cyber attacks, positioning BlackBerry to compete in rapidly growing endpoint security market against competitors similar to those challenging Nokia during smartphone transitions.
The Cylance acquisition accelerated BlackBerry’s transformation from hardware manufacturer to cybersecurity enterprise software provider, though the division faced challenges gaining market share against cloud-native competitors. BlackBerry acquired QNX Software Systems earlier to power its automotive and embedded systems business, building software capabilities across the technology industry. In December 2024, BlackBerry sold Cylance division to Arctic Wolf for $160 million, significantly below the original acquisition price, as company refocused on IoT software and secure communications core competencies where it maintains stronger competitive advantages.
Research In Motion Limited Competitors
Research In Motion competed in multiple markets throughout its evolution from smartphone manufacturer to cybersecurity software provider. During smartphone era, primary competitors included Apple, Samsung, and manufacturers using Android operating system. Following transformation under John Chen, BlackBerry now competes in enterprise security and IoT markets against companies leveraging technology infrastructure similar to Dell EMC in enterprise solutions.
| Competitor | Market Focus |
|---|---|
| CrowdStrike Holdings | Cloud-native endpoint protection, threat intelligence |
| Check Point Software Technologies | Network security, endpoint security, cloud security |
| SentinelOne | AI-powered endpoint protection, autonomous cybersecurity |
| Palo Alto Networks | Enterprise cybersecurity, network security platforms |
| Microsoft (Defender) | Enterprise endpoint security, threat protection |
| Symantec (Gen Digital) | Endpoint security, cyber defense |
| Fortinet | Network security, unified threat management |
| McAfee | Endpoint security, cloud security |
| Trend Micro | Enterprise cybersecurity, endpoint protection |
| VMware Carbon Black | Endpoint detection and response, cloud security |
Research In Motion Limited Revenue
BlackBerry experienced dramatic revenue fluctuations during its transformation from smartphone leader to enterprise software provider. Revenue peaked during smartphone boom years before declining as iPhone and Android dominated. Under John Chen, revenue stabilized around $850 million annually.
FAQs
When was Research In Motion founded?
Research In Motion was founded in March 1984 by Mike Lazaridis and Douglas Fregin in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Both founders were engineering students when they established the wireless technology company.
Why did BlackBerry fail as a smartphone company?
BlackBerry failed to compete effectively against Apple iPhone and Android devices due to outdated operating system, inferior app ecosystem, delayed touchscreen adoption, and management’s underestimation of consumer-focused smartphone market transformation beginning in 2007.
When did Research In Motion change its name to BlackBerry?
Research In Motion officially changed its company name to BlackBerry Limited in July 2013 following shareholder vote. The ticker symbols changed to BB and BBRY on February 4, 2013, several months earlier.
What does BlackBerry do now?
BlackBerry provides cybersecurity software, IoT software for automotive industry, and secure communications solutions for enterprises and governments. The company no longer manufactures smartphones, having discontinued hardware production and legacy services in 2022.
Who is the current CEO of BlackBerry?
John Giamatteo serves as CEO of BlackBerry Limited as of 2024. John Chen, who led the company’s transformation from 2013 to 2023, successfully transitioned BlackBerry from smartphone manufacturer to enterprise software provider.