Tobias 'Tobi' Lütke is a German-Canadian businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and CEO of Shopify Inc. (NYSE/TSX: SHOP), the dominant global e-commerce platform for independent merchants. His career is rooted in elite computer science, software development, and entrepreneurial disruption.

Lütke is a self-taught programmer who began coding at an early age. His philosophical approach centers on technological excellence, merchant empowerment, and long-term commitment to decentralized commerce (pioneering the headless and integrated e-commerce platform). He founded Shopify in 2006 (after his initial attempt to launch an online snowboard shop failed).

• Shopify Inc. (Founder & CEO): The core publicly traded asset, the dominant global e-commerce platform for merchants (a key structural component of the modern retail economy).
• Technology Pioneer: His success is built on scale software development and dominating the market for integrated, easy-to-use e-commerce tools (challenging major marketplace monopolies).
• Academic Note: He holds an estimated net worth in the billions of dollars (2025 estimate).
• Investment Strategy: His philosophy is rooted in long-term investment in software IP and leveraging the massive global growth of digital commerce and entrepreneurship.

Tobi Lütke's strategic genius was his commitment to the independent merchant. He co-founded Shopify in 2006 (with Scott Lake and Daniel Weinand), pivoting the initial concept from an online store to a platform for other merchants. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the scale software model that allowed millions of small businesses to access the global e-commerce market, democratizing online retail. The company successfully executed its IPO on the NYSE and TSX in 2015.

He remains Founder and CEO, guiding the company's continuous expansion and technological innovation (especially in logistics and financial services). His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global SaaS and e-commerce sector.

Tobi Lütke's social impact stems from Shopify's role in empowering millions of entrepreneurs and small businesses globally by providing accessible e-commerce technology. The company supports economic independence and job creation worldwide. His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives, often focused on climate change and technology education.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Tobi Lütke maintains the professional, composed style of a technology executive. His attire is consistently pragmatic, favoring high-quality casual wear. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and intellectual depth, typical of a pioneer in the specialized software sector.

Residing in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to technology innovation, strategic management, and the long-term stewardship of the Shopify platform.