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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Money & Work • Technology

Jim Balsillie

Jim Balsillie is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist best known as the former chair and co-chief executive officer of Research In Motion (BlackBerry).

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Jim Balsillie is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist best known as the former chair and co-CEO of Research In Motion, the company behind BlackBerry.

What it is

Balsillie joined Research In Motion in 1992 and became co-CEO alongside co-founder Mike Lazaridis. He helped lead the company through its rise as a global smartphone leader before leaving in 2012.

Key details

After BlackBerry, Balsillie shifted to philanthropy and public policy. He founded the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the Balsillie School of International Affairs. He also made several unsuccessful bids to buy an NHL team and move it to Hamilton, Ontario.

Why it matters

Balsillie’s work has shaped Canadian innovation policy and international affairs research. His advocacy for technology governance and business continues through organizations like the Council of Canadian Innovators.

In short

  • Former chair and co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry).
  • Founded CIGI and the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
  • Made multiple bids to buy an NHL team for Hamilton.
  • Shifted to philanthropy and policy work after 2012.
Canadian angle

Balsillie is a prominent Canadian technology executive and philanthropist whose work has influenced Canadian innovation policy, international affairs research, and business advocacy.

Quick questions

Who is Jim Balsillie?
Jim Balsillie is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist best known as the former chair and co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry).
Was Jim Balsillie a co-founder of BlackBerry?
No. He joined Research In Motion in 1992 and became co-CEO with co-founder Mike Lazaridis, but he was not the original founder.
What happened to Jim Balsillie?
He left BlackBerry in 2012 and shifted toward philanthropy, public policy, and technology-governance work in Canada.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Balsillie
    Supports: Birth name, nationality, career at Research In Motion/BlackBerry, and general biography.
  2. Centre for International Governance Innovation — https://www.cigionline.org/people/jim-balsillie/
    Supports: His roles as retired chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion, his philanthropic and policy institutions, and leadership positions.
  3. Centre for International Governance Innovation — https://www.cigionline.org/sites/default/files/cigi_jim_balsillie_bio.pdf
    Supports: Founding of CIGI, Balsillie School of International Affairs, and background on education and career.
  4. Institute for New Economic Thinking — https://www.ineteconomics.org/research/experts/jbalsillie
    Supports: Description as co-founder and former co-CEO of Research In Motion and founder of CIGI and other organizations.
  5. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Balsillie
    Supports: Reported historical net-worth estimate and NHL bid history; used cautiously because the page summarizes older third-party reporting.