Irish businessman and entrepreneur John Collison is most renowned for being the president and co-founder of Stripe, one of the top financial technology firms in the world. Stripe, which was founded in 2010 with his older brother Patrick Collison, has completely changed the way that companies take online payments.
John has won a lot of praise for both his technical expertise and his idea to streamline international online trade. He gained international recognition in 2016 when he became the youngest self-made billionaire in history, at the age of just 26.
Personal Details
| Full Name | John Collison |
|---|---|
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth & Age (2025) | August 6, 1990 (Age: 35) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Programmer |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Marital Status | Unmarried (as of 2025) |
| Family Members | Patrick Collison (Brother), Parents: Lily & Denis |
| Hobbies & Interests | Flying, coding, reading, piano |
| Estimated Net Worth | $5.5 Billion (as of 2025, Forbes) |
Childhood and Schooling
Ireland’s Dromineer, County Tipperary, is where John Collison was born and reared. Being raised in a household that valued inquisitiveness and self-education, he displayed intelligence from a young age. He showed a keen interest in technology and entrepreneurship, as did his brother Patrick.
John first enrolled at Harvard University after attending Castletroy College, a high school in Limerick. But like many brilliant tech thinkers before him, he dropped out of college to devote himself entirely to creating Stripe, a decision that would go on to change both his life and the online payments industry.
Motivators & Impacts
John has acknowledged that one of his biggest sources of inspiration and cooperation was his brother Patrick. They all had the same goal: to enable developers and companies throughout the world to easily accept payments online.
John was influenced by his family, but he also looked up to businessmen like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, not so much for their personality as for their innovative ideas and commitment to solving pressing issues.
Top Business and Philanthropy Chart
| Year | Project/Initiative | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Shuppa | Early e-commerce tool developed with Patrick |
| 2010 | Stripe | Co-founded Stripe; streamlined online payment processing |
| 2016 | Atlas | Stripe initiative to help global startups incorporate easily |
| 2019 | Climate Program | Stripe pledged to support carbon removal tech |
| 2021 | Stripe Identity | Tool for user verification and security |
| 2023 | Philanthropy via Collison Foundation | Supports STEM education and climate innovation |
Family Background
- Father: Denis Collison – Electrical Engineer
- Mother: Lily Collison – Microbiologist turned author
- Sibling: Patrick Collison – Co-founder and CEO of Stripe
The Collison household fostered learning and creativity. The family lived in a small rural town, far from Silicon Valley, yet provided the environment for two billionaires to emerge.
Physical Measurements
| Height & Weight | 5’11” (180 cm), ~165 lbs (75 kg) |
|---|---|
| Body Measurements | Chest: 40 in, Waist: 32 in, Biceps: 14 in |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Distinctive Features | Youthful face, calm demeanor |
Career Journey
Early Career
John began building web-based products in his teens, developing apps and small tech tools alongside his brother. Their first notable venture was Shuppa, which merged with another startup and eventually evolved into Auctomatic, sold for $5 million when John was just 17.
Breakthrough Project
The game-changer was Stripe, founded in 2010. The company grew rapidly, attracting early support from Y Combinator and investors like Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and Sequoia Capital.
Awards & Recognition
- Forbes 30 Under 30 (2016)
- TIME 100 Next (2021)
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Ireland) – alongside Patrick
Personal Life
John Collison is a private individual, rarely speaking about his personal relationships. He is known to be passionate about aviation and holds a pilot’s license. He’s also a skilled pianist, often sharing his love for classical music in interviews.
Also Read: Evan Spiegel: The Visionary Behind Snapchat
Philanthropy
Through Stripe and personal initiatives, John supports causes like climate change, STEM education, and startup ecosystems in emerging countries.
Interesting Facts
- He taught himself coding from online forums as a teenager.
- He has flown solo across continents.
- He once gave a talk at the Oxford Union alongside other tech leaders.
Future Projects
John continues to focus on expanding Stripe’s role in global commerce infrastructure, including:
- Advancing AI-powered financial tools
- Stripe’s entry into decentralized finance (DeFi)
- Developing real-time global payroll systems
He has hinted at investing in climate tech and entrepreneurship accelerators in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Legacy & Influence
John Collison has had a profound impact on the tech and finance industries. He represents a new era of entrepreneurs: young, global, and deeply technical. His success with Stripe has inspired countless young founders worldwide.
He has redefined how online businesses grow, especially in markets previously underserved by modern payment systems.
Social Media & Fan Engagement
While not overly active on social platforms, John Collison engages with fans and the tech community via:
- Twitter: @collision – for professional insights, product updates, and tech discussions.
- LinkedIn: Shares Stripe announcements and startup wisdom.
- Talks & Interviews: Frequently seen at TED, Startup School, and Y Combinator events.
He keeps a low-profile online but leaves a high impact through thought leadership and occasional speaking engagements.
