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Harley Finkelstein

Canadian businessperson, entrepreneur, and public speaker

Harley Finkelstein is a prominent Canadian entrepreneur and business leader, best known for his role as the President of Shopify, a leading e-commerce platform. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, and began his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 17 by founding a T-shirt company while studying at McGill University. He later transferred to Concordia University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics, and subsequently attended the University of Ottawa, where he obtained both a Juris Doctor and an MBA.1

Finkelstein joined Shopify in 2010 as Chief Platform Officer, shortly after meeting co-founder Tobias Lütke. His early involvement included various roles across business development, law, and finance. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) in 2016 and became President in September 2020.12 Under his leadership, Shopify has significantly expanded its influence in the e-commerce sector, powering a substantial portion of online retail in North America.

In addition to his work at Shopify, Finkelstein serves on the board of directors for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and is an advisor for several venture capital firms. He is also a well-known public speaker and has appeared as a "Dragon" on the Canadian version of Dragons' Den, where he invests in startups.13

Finkelstein has received numerous accolades, including being named Angel Investor of the Year at the Canadian Startup Awards and being recognized in Canada's Top 40 Under 40. He is actively involved in philanthropy, including a notable donation to establish a Jewish community center in Ottawa.12

Highlights

Today · twitter

You can read a hundred articles about Jeffrey Katzenberg and never hear this story.

That's exactly why we made @BigShotPodcast.

Shabbat Shalom, friends. https://t.co/YJX5AMpe9S

You can read a hundred articles about Jeffrey Katzenberg and never hear this story.

That's exactly
Today · twitter

Eames lounge chair is in that tiny category of objects that feel better every year you own them.

Also: Great mattress Coffee machine Real speakers "H" blanket

Buy once. Enjoy forever.

What else belongs on this list?

Dec 7 · Business Insider
Shopify president says work-life balance is a 'misnomer' — and that we should embrace work-life 'harmony'
Dec 2 · Business Insider
Shopify experienced instability for hours on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Last year, it handled $11.5 billion between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Related Questions

What inspired Harley Finkelstein to start his first business at age 17?
How did Harley transition from being a lawyer to becoming Shopify's President?
What are some key achievements of Harley Finkelstein at Shopify?
How has Harley's background influenced his leadership style at Shopify?
What is the story behind Harley's involvement with the CBC and Dragons' Den?
Harley Finkelstein
Harley Finkelstein, photo 1
Harley Finkelstein, photo 2
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Location

Canada