Two of Canada’s “most accomplished technology entrepreneurs” are supporting B.C.-made artificial intelligence technology solutions.
BlackBerry cofounders Mike Lazaridis and Doug Fregin are joining the advisory board of Railtown AI, a Burnaby-based developer of tools and agentic frameworks that aim to power the next generation of intelligent applications, the company has announced.
Lazaridis and Fregin, Canadian tech icons who helped pioneer the smartphone era through the launch of Research In Motion, want to see Canadian tech and talent remain inside the country’s borders as much as possible.
In this vein, they’ve been involved in supporting local next-gen tech such as quantum computing.
They are also interested, like most everyone is by now, in AI.
Railtown’s mission, through its tech platform and collaborations with partners, is to create a Canadian-focused AI development and deployment ecosystem; this aligns with both Lazaridis’ and Fregin’s commitments to building and retaining world-class technology and talent in Canada.
“Canada develops exceptional talent,” Lazaridis says, “but too many feel they have to leave the country to pursue meaningful opportunities.”
The venerable tech veteran suggests it is therefore “critical that we build companies, platforms, and ecosystems here that allow Canadians to innovate, grow, and compete globally.”
Railtown, Lazaridis believes, “is building foundational AI technology in Canada.”
“I’m excited to support that vision,” he stated.
Railtown chief executive officer Cory Brandolini observes that, in Silicon Valley, “many of the most successful founders lead by example: actively investing in the next generation of startups, sharing hard-earned experience, and providing valuable advisory insight.”
That “culture of reinvestment,” as Brandolini puts it, “is a major reason the ecosystem continues to thrive.”
Lazaridis and Fregin, he posits, are showing that Canadian tech can do things the Valley way.
“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,” Brandolini remarked.
“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,” he continued.
Beyond advisory roles, Lazaridis and Fregin are also leading an investment round into the firm.
A private placement of $3.4 million will generate “working capital” for Railtown, according to a statement.
Founded in 2011, Railtown’s platform includes Railengine, Railtracks ADK, and Conductr—tools that help teams build, deploy, and operate AI agents at scale.
Leave a Reply