Shopify Announces Proposed Updates to Governance Structure – Support Continued Long-Term Growth

Shopify, a provider of essential internet infrastructure for commerce, today announced proposed updates to its governance structure designed to support the Company’s continued long-term growth. The Company will seek shareholder approval to implement the proposed amendments to its articles of incorporation at its upcoming Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders to be held on June 7, 2022 (the “Meeting”). 

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The proposal, which is the result of a careful and thorough board process conducted under the supervision of a Special Committee of independent directors advised by its own legal counsel and financial advisor, will modernize Shopify’s governance structure to align it more closely with the Company’s long-term market opportunities. As Mr. Lütke detailed in his 2015 letter to shareholders in connection with Shopify’s IPO, Shopify prioritizes long-term value creation as part of its 100-year mission to make commerce better for everyone.

The Company currently has Class A shares with one vote per share and Class B shares with 10 votes per share, with Class B shareholders having a controlling position equivalent to approximately 51% of the total voting power. The current governance structure provides that all Class B shares will convert into Class A shares only when the Class B shares are diluted below a specified threshold, does not impose service-based conditions on ownership of the Class B shares, and allows for intergenerational transfers, meaning that a holder can transfer Class B shares to a spouse or child without retaining voting control over the shares.

The New Shopify Governance Proposal

The proposal, if approved by shareholders and as detailed below, will modernize Shopify’s governance structure and allow Shopify to remain mission-driven and merchant-obsessed while sustaining an innovative culture. The proposal will also strengthen the foundation for long-term stewardship by Mr. Lütke, a proven leader who has delivered significant shareholder value since the Company’s IPO. This stability of leadership is expected to cement the Company’s focus on the long-term to the lasting benefit of merchants, employees and shareholders. 

“The shift to digital commerce has been supercharged over the last two years, permanently changing the landscape of our industry and positioning Shopify at a key inflection point in its growth story. As we look ahead, the Board undertook a careful review of Shopify’s governance structure to ensure the Company is best positioned to capitalize on the massive opportunities for continued growth and value creation.

A Special Committee of independent directors carefully and thoroughly reviewed this proposal and determined that taken together, these changes will enhance Shopify’s strategic flexibility and ability to pursue value-enhancing organic and external opportunities. Tobi is key to supporting and executing Shopify’s strategic vision and this proposal ensures his interests are aligned with long-term shareholder value creation.”

Robert Ashe, Lead Independent Director, Shopify

Under the terms of the proposal, Shopify will authorize and issue a new class of share, the Founder share, to Mr. Lütke. The Founder share will provide Mr. Lütke with a variable number of votes that, when combined with the Class B shares beneficially owned by him, his immediate family, and his affiliates (including any Class A shares issued in the future upon conversion of his Class B shares and certain other Class A shares acquired after the proposal is implemented), will represent 40% of the total voting power attached to all of the Company’s outstanding shares, effectively setting and preserving Mr. Lütke’s voting power at that level following implementation of the proposal.

The Founder share will sunset if Mr. Lütke no longer serves the Company in certain capacities (as an executive officer, board member, or consultant whose primary engagement is with the Company) or Mr. Lütke, his immediate family, and his affiliates no longer hold a number of Class A and Class B shares equal to at least 30% of the Class B shares currently held by Mr. Lütke and his affiliates. Mr. Lütke will agree that, in the event of a sunset of the Founder share, he will also convert his remaining Class B shares into Class A shares. The Founder share is not transferable by Mr. Lütke.

The Company’s existing Class A and Class B shares will remain outstanding and their terms will not be amended as part of the proposal. As part of the proposal, Mr. Lütke and his affiliates will agree that they will not transfer their Class B shares without Mr. Lütke retaining voting control over such shares, preventing an intergenerational transfer of such voting power.  

Following the approval of the proposal by shareholders, Shopify Director John Phillips will convert all Class B shares held by Klister Credit Corp., a company owned by him and Catherine Phillips, into Class A shares. If the conversion occurred today, the total voting power held by Class A shareholders would increase from approximately 49% to approximately 59% of the total voting power attached to all of the Company’s shares.

The Special Committee determined the proposed 40% threshold for Mr. Lütke’s voting power was appropriate as it is approximately the voting power he would hold under the current share structure if Klister Credit Corp. were to convert its Class B shares to Class A shares.

The Board, based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favor of the proposal.

“It has been a privilege to witness the beginning of what I believe will be a long and exciting growth story for Shopify,”

“In the fifteen years since Catherine and I first invested in the Company, we have been impressed time and time again by what this team is capable of achieving under Tobi’s leadership. Since the Company’s IPO, Shopify Class A shares have increased in value from $17 to more than $675 as of March 31, 2022, resulting in total shareholder returns of over 3,850%, significantly outpacing the broader market. My fellow directors and I are confident that shareholder approval of this proposal will provide Shopify with new tools to position the Company for long-term success as it builds on its impressive track record of value creation with Tobi at the helm.

“Klister’s plan to convert all of its Class B shares, which will result in a loss of its multiple voting rights and the ability to make intergenerational transfers of Class B shares, is intended to help facilitate a smoother transition to the new structure, which I wholeheartedly endorse as being in the best interests of the Company and fair to minority shareholders. I encourage all Shopify shareholders to vote ‘FOR’ this proposal at the Annual and Special Meeting.”

John Phillips, Director, Shopify

The proposal is expected to be implemented through a plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act and is subject to the approval of (1) at least two-thirds of the votes cast by Class A and Class B shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Company’s upcoming Meeting, voting together as a single class, and (2) at least the majority of the votes cast by Class A and Class B shareholders (excluding Mr. Lütke and his associates and affiliates) present in person or represented by proxy at the Company’s upcoming Meeting, voting together as a single class. Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 19, 2022, will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. 

Shopify is separately announcing today that its Board has approved a proposed 10-for-1 split of the Company’s Class A and Class B shares to be effected through a separate amendment to its articles of incorporation.

The planned share split, which will make share ownership more accessible to all investors, is subject to the approval of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by Class A and Class B shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Company’s upcoming Meeting, voting together as a single class. If shareholder approval is received, shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 22, 2022, will receive, after the close of business on June 28, 2022, nine additional Class A shares or Class B shares, as applicable, for every one share held.

Details regarding the proposal, the share split, and the Meeting will be set out in the management information circular for the Meeting, which will be filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and under the Company’s profile on EDGAR at sec.gov, and on our website at investors.shopify.com. The descriptions of the proposal and the share split in this press release do not purport to be complete and are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the management information circular. Shareholders are encouraged to read the management information circular and other relevant materials when they become available.