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BlackBerry co-founders Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin are making a $3.4 million investment in Vancouver-based Railtown AI Technologies Inc., a developer of AI technologies and agentic platforms.
Founded in 2011, Railtown builds AI developer tools and agentic frameworks that power intelligent applications. Its Platform — Railengine, Railtracks ADK and Conductr — helps teams build, deploy and operate AI agents across a company.
Both men will sit on Railtown’s advisory board.
According to a release from Railtown, Lazaridis and Fregin will support the company’s growth efforts and assist in the development of Canadian AI talent and technologies. Both will also lend their talents in Railtown’s collaborations with other Canadian AI data-hosting providers and firms to create a Canadian-focused AI development and deployment ecosystem.
Both Lazaridis and Fregin are founding partners of Quantum Valley Investments, the Institute for Quantum Computing, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and Quantum Valley Ideas Lab — focused on advancing quantum research and commercialization.
Railtown seeks to be global AI company
“Mr. Lazaridis and Mr. Fregin are two of Canada's most accomplished technology entrepreneurs who pioneered the modern smartphone industry,” Railtown wrote in a release accompanying the announcement. “They grew Research In Motion from a startup into one of Canada's most successful technology companies with $19 billion in annual revenues, 18,000 employees worldwide, and a peak market value of $68 billion.”
"Canada develops exceptional talent, but too many feel they have to leave the country to pursue meaningful opportunities," said Lazaridis in the release. "It's critical that we build companies, platforms, and ecosystems here that allow Canadians to innovate, grow, and compete globally. Railtown is building foundational AI technology in Canada, and I'm excited to support that vision."
"Mike and Doug's decision to invest in Railtown sends a powerful signal about what's possible when experienced Canadian founders support the next wave of innovation,” said Cory Brandolini, CEO of Railtown. “This investment, along with Mike's involvement on the advisory board will add invaluable strategic guidance, reinforcing Railtown's mission to build a globally competitive AI company from Canada."
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