Shopify

Montréal’s tech ecosystem gathered at HEC Montréal for the first edition of North Star, an event series organized by Amiral Ventures, Brightspark Ventures, and student groups. The event featured panels of student founders, seasoned CEOs, and a fireside chat with Shopify President Harley Finkelstein.

Speakers emphasized themes of passion, resilience, and balancing obsession with mental health. Student founders highlighted challenges in pivoting from research to business, while Finkelstein championed building global companies in Canada despite structural barriers.

The evening also unveiled the Montréal Startup Guide, a resource for the city’s startup community, aiming to foster collaboration and growth.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Betakit.

Shopify shattered its Black Friday-Cyber Monday (BFCM) sales record, reporting $11.5 billion USD in merchant sales—a 24% increase from last year’s $9.3 billion. Over 76 million consumers shopped globally, with Shopify’s Shop Pay usage up 58% year-over-year. Canadian merchants averaged $199.60 CAD per cart, surpassing global averages, while point-of-sale sales in Canada grew 32%.

The record-setting weekend occurred despite Shopify’s warning that the Canada Post strike could “devastate” small businesses. Shopify called for federal intervention last week, but the strike continues, costing SMBs $765 million, according to CFIB. Shopify’s performance reaffirms its resilience amid economic challenges.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on BetaKit.

Shopify has issued an open letter to Canada’s Labour Minister, urging immediate intervention in the ongoing Canada Post strike. The e-commerce giant warns the dispute jeopardizes small businesses, with 67,000 Shopify merchants reliant on Canada Post, especially in rural areas. The 12-day strike has delayed 10 million parcels, disrupting deliveries ahead of Black Friday/Cyber Monday, a critical sales period.

Shopify suggests binding arbitration or legislation to end the standoff. Meanwhile, Canada Post cites mounting financial losses, while the postal union demands better wages and working conditions. Minister MacKinnon, however, has ruled out arbitration for now, citing unresolved fundamental issues.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on BetaKit.

Shopify’s Q3 earnings exceeded expectations, sending shares up 27% on Tuesday. The Ottawa-based e-commerce giant reported $2.16 billion in revenue, a 26.1% increase from last year. Customers using Shopify tools sold $69.7 billion in goods, boosted by sectors like food, apparel, and skincare, with notable growth in Europe.

Merchant-solutions revenue hit $1.55 billion, as Shopify earns a percentage of client sales. The addition of enterprise clients, including Watches of Switzerland and The Body Shop, supports Shopify’s infrastructure-expansion strategy. President Harley Finkelstein emphasized long-term goals over short-term growth spikes.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Fintech.ca.

Shopify, the Canadian e-commerce giant that began by selling snowboards online, is now targeting larger businesses to boost profit margins. With a more aggressive approach, Shopify has already secured hundreds of former Salesforce clients, including Toys “R” Us and Casper, and recently added high-profile brands like Lionel Messi’s Más+ and Sofía Vergara’s Dios Mío Coffee.

Post-pandemic shifts in consumer habits prompted Shopify to pivot from small businesses to higher-volume clients. Already powering 10% of U.S. e-commerce, Shopify continues to expand globally, with over half its new merchants in Q2 from non-English-speaking markets.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on The Peak.

Shopify is set to hire 1,000 engineering interns in 2025, as announced by Farhan Thawar, Shopify’s VP & Head of Engineering, on Twitter. Thawar encouraged “AI centaurs” to apply. The internships, lasting four months, will take place in Toronto, Ottawa, or Montreal and are open to all applicants.

Shopify highlighted the opportunity for interns to help shape how entrepreneurs around the globe do business. Applications for Shopify’s Winter 2025 internships are now open, with interested candidates encouraged to apply online. This marks a significant expansion in Shopify’s recruitment efforts.

Want to know more? Check out the source code on Techtalent.ca.