Shopify Founder Tobias Lütke: The Unexpected Comeback of the German Tech Billionaire

10/22/2025, 4:00 PM

From a snowboard shop to a leader in AI – how Tobias Lütke returned Shopify to a path of success with discipline, foresight, and technological acumen.

Eulerpool News Oct 22, 2025, 4:00 PM

Shopify founder Tobias Lütke, born in Koblenz, has accomplished what many tech entrepreneurs failed to do after the corona boom: a spectacular comeback. Within a year, the 45-year-old increased his fortune by 1.5 billion euros – now estimated at 5.2 billion euros. This was made possible by a clear savings plan, new AI strategies, and the courage to reinvent his company.

From Snowboard Shop to Billion-Dollar Platform

Lütke's story began unassumingly: When he wanted to open an online shop for snowboards in Canada, he lacked the appropriate software. So he programmed it himself – the foundation for Shopify was laid. Today, millions of merchants worldwide use the platform, from small manufacturers to large customers like Red Bull or Barnes & Noble.

After an unprecedented stock market rise during the pandemic, the share price plummeted by more than 80 percent. Many competitors have barely recovered from this – but Lütke has. He radically streamlined the company, reducing the workforce from 11,600 to 8,100 employees and focusing Shopify on profitable core businesses.

AI as a Turbo for a New Beginning

While European online retailers like Zalando or Asos stagnate, Shopify has recently grown rapidly: 9 billion dollars in revenue, over a billion in operating profit - and a stock price that is almost back to pre-pandemic levels. The stock market celebrates Lütke as a visionary of the "second wave" of e-commerce, driven by artificial intelligence.

He himself has long made the AI revolution a condition: "Before new positions are created, every team must prove why it cannot achieve its goals with the help of AI," he wrote internally. For investors, a signal that Shopify wants to be at the forefront when online shops are largely automated in the future.

From Programmer to Symbol of German Entrepreneurial Spirit

Today, "Tobi" Lütke is considered one of Canada's most influential tech entrepreneurs – and a beacon of hope for a generation of German founders abroad. His company, with a market value of around 200 billion dollars, is the second most valuable in Canada.

Discover undervalued stocks with Eulerpool.

Subscribe for $2

News

Sartorius surprises with strong growth – annual targets raised

Despite cautious customer demand, Sartorius once again demonstrates why the company is among the most stable growth stocks in the industry – and signals with the new forecast: The upswing has begun.

China slows down – Economy continues to lose momentum, Xi under pressure

Beijing is at a turning point—between stability and reform. The next Five-Year Plan will determine whether China reinvents its economy or remains stuck in structural stagnation.

D-Wave share recovers: Investors are betting on quantum power again

After a short period of weakness, optimism is returning. Investors are betting that D-Wave will soon provide proof that quantum computing is not just a vision for the future but will soon be a profitable business.

Syrian extended family leaves Germany – over 160 criminal offenses on record

After years of criminal activity, the state is drawing consequences – the controlled return of the family to Syria is seen as a signal for a stricter approach towards criminal clan structures.

The European Affair: Magazine Rejects Accusations – Weidel Considers a Lawsuit

While The European sees itself as a victim of right-wing campaigns, Minister of State for Culture Weimer is increasingly coming into focus due to the copyright affair – a political aftermath seems inevitable.