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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2017

Registration No. 333-      

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM F-10

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SHOPIFY INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Canada
(Province or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
7372
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification
Code Number)
30-0830605
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number,
if any)

150 Elgin Street, 8th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 1L4 (613) 241-2828
(Registrant’s principal executive offices)

The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 (302) 658-7581
(Agent for service in the United States)

The Commission is requested to send copies of all communications to:

Joseph A. Frasca, Esq.
General Counsel
Shopify Inc.
150 Elgin Street, 8th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 1L4
(613) 241-2828
Riccardo A. Leofanti, Esq.
Ryan Dzierniejko, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
222 Bay Street, Suite 1750
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5K 1J5
(416) 777-4700
Sean Vanderpol, Esq.
Stikeman Elliott LLP
5300 Commerce Court West
199 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5L 1B9
(416) 869-5500

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

Province of Ontario, Canada
(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering)

It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box):

A. ☒
Upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada).
B. o
At some future date (check the appropriate box below):
 
1. o
pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ).
 
2. o
pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on ( ).
 
3. o
pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto.
 
4. o
after the filing of the next amendment to this Form (if preliminary material is being filed).

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction's shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following box. ☒

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
Amount to be
Registered (1)(2)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price (2)(3)
Amount of
Registration Fee (4)
Class A Subordinate Voting Shares
 
 
 
Preferred Shares
 
 
 
Debt Securities
 
 
 
Warrants
 
 
 
Subscription Receipts
 
 
 
Units
 
 
 
Total
US$2,329,906,250
US$2,329,906,250
US$270,036.13

(1)There are being registered under this Registration Statement such indeterminate number of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts and units of the Registrant as shall have an aggregate initial offering price of $2,329,906,250. Any securities registered by this Registration Statement may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered under this Registration Statement. The proposed maximum initial offering price per security will be determined, from time to time, by the Registrant in connection with the sale of the securities under this Registration Statement.
(2)In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in Canadian dollars.
(3)Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.
(4)The prospectus contained herein relates to an aggregate of US$2,500,000,000 of securities, including, pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, US$170,093,750 of unsold securities that were previously registered under the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-212751), initially filed on July 29, 2016.

Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus contained in this Registration Statement relates to Registration Statement 333-212751.

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PART I
   
INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

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AMENDED AND RESTATED SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS
(amending and restating the short form base shelf prospectus dated August 5, 2016)

New Issue and Secondary Offering
May 17, 2017

SHOPIFY INC.

$2,500,000,000
Class A Subordinate Voting Shares
Preferred Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Receipts
Units

Shopify Inc. (the “Company”, “Shopify”, “us” or “we”) may offer and issue from time to time Class A subordinate voting shares (“Class A Subordinate Voting Shares”), preferred shares (“Preferred Shares”), debt securities (“Debt Securities”), warrants (“Warrants”) to acquire any of the other securities that are described in this amended and restated short form base shelf prospectus (the “Prospectus”), subscription receipts (“Subscription Receipts”), units (“Units”) comprised of one or more of any of the other securities that are described in this Prospectus, or any combination of such securities (all of the foregoing collectively, the “Securities” and individually, a “Security”), for up to an aggregate offering price of $2,500,000,000 (or its equivalent in Canadian dollars or any other currencies), in one or more transactions during the 25-month period commencing August 5, 2016 that this Prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains effective.

We will provide the specific terms of any offering of Securities, including the specific terms of the Securities with respect to a particular offering and the terms of such offering, in one or more prospectus supplements (each a “Prospectus Supplement”) to this Prospectus. The Securities may be offered separately or together or in any combination, and as separate series. One or more securityholders of the Company may also offer and sell Securities under this Prospectus. See “The Selling Securityholders”.

All dollar amounts in this Prospectus are in United States dollars, unless otherwise indicated. See “Currency Presentation and Exchange Rate Information”.

An investment in Securities involves significant risks that should be carefully considered by prospective investors before purchasing Securities. The risks outlined in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, including the applicable Prospectus Supplement, should be carefully reviewed and considered by prospective investors in connection with any investment in Securities. See “Risk Factors”.

Our Securities may be sold pursuant to this Prospectus through underwriters or dealers or directly or through agents designated from time to time at amounts and prices and other terms determined by us or any selling securityholders. In connection with any underwritten offering of Securities, the underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities offered. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. See “Plan of Distribution”. A Prospectus Supplement will set out the names of any underwriters, dealers, agents or selling securityholders involved in the sale of our Securities, the amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters, the plan of distribution for such Securities, including the net proceeds we expect to receive from the sale of such Securities, if any, the amounts and prices at which such Securities are sold and the compensation of such underwriters, dealers or agents.

The Company has two classes of issued and outstanding shares: the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and the Class B multiple voting shares. The Class B multiple voting shares carry a greater number of votes per share relative to the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares. The Class A Subordinate Voting Shares are therefore “restricted securities” within the meaning of such term under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and the Class B multiple voting shares are substantially identical with the exception of the multiple voting and conversion rights attached to the Class B multiple voting shares. Each Class A Subordinate Voting Share is entitled to one vote and each Class B multiple voting share is entitled to ten votes on all matters requiring shareholder approval, and holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares will vote together on all matters subject to a vote of holders of both those classes of shares as if they were one class of shares, except to the extent that a separate vote of holders as a separate class is required by law or provided by our restated articles of incorporation. The Class B multiple voting shares are convertible into Class A Subordinate Voting Shares on a one-for-one basis at any time at the option of the holders thereof and automatically in certain other circumstances. The holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares benefit from contractual provisions that give them certain rights in the event of a take-over bid for the Class B multiple voting shares. See “Description of the Share Capital of the Company – Take-Over Bid Protection”.

Our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) under the symbol “SHOP”. On May 16, 2017, the last trading day prior to the date of this Prospectus, the closing prices of the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares on the NYSE and the TSX were $94.93 and C$128.90, respectively. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Securities other than Class A Subordinate Voting Shares will not be listed on any securities exchange. There is currently no market through which such Securities may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell any such Securities purchased under this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Securities. This may affect the pricing of such Securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of such Securities and the extent of issuer regulation. See the “Risk Factors” section of the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”) NOR HAS THE SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

Shopify is permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted in the United States and Canada, to prepare this Prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements. Prospective investors should be aware that such requirements are different from those of the United States. We prepare our annual financial statements and our interim financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Purchasers of Securities should be aware that the acquisition of Securities may have tax consequences both in the United States and in Canada. This Prospectus does not discuss U.S. or Canadian tax consequences and any such tax consequences may not be described fully in any applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to a particular offering of Securities. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors prior to deciding to purchase any of the Securities.

The enforcement by investors of civil liabilities under United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely by the fact that the Company is incorporated under the laws of Canada, that most of its officers and directors are residents of Canada, and that all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company and said persons are located outside of the United States. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities”.

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ABOUT THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SHORT FORM BASE SHELF PROSPECTUS

We have not authorized anyone to provide readers with information different from that contained in this Prospectus (or incorporated by reference herein) or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of any other information that others may give readers of this Prospectus. We are not making an offer of Securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

Readers should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this Prospectus or the respective dates of the documents incorporated by reference herein, unless otherwise noted herein or as required by law. It should be assumed that the information appearing in this Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein are accurate only as of their respective dates. The business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of the Company may have changed since those dates.

This Prospectus shall not be used by anyone for any purpose other than in connection with an offering of Securities as described in one or more Prospectus Supplements. We do not undertake to update the information contained or incorporated by reference herein, including any Prospectus Supplement, except as required by applicable securities laws. Information contained on, or otherwise accessed through, our website shall not be deemed to be a part of this Prospectus and such information is not incorporated by reference herein.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Information has been incorporated by reference into this Prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the address set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and are also available electronically at www.sedar.com (“SEDAR”) and www.sec.gov (“EDGAR”).

The following documents, filed by the Company with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada, are specifically incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of, this Prospectus:

(a)Shopify’s audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, together with the related notes thereto and the auditors’ report thereon;

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(b)Shopify’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2016;
(c)Shopify’s Annual Information Form dated February 14, 2017 for the year ended December 31, 2016;
(d)Shopify’s Management Information Circular dated May 2, 2017 in connection with the annual general meeting of the shareholders of Shopify to be held on June 7, 2017;
(e)Shopify’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, together with the related notes thereto; and
(f)Shopify’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017.

Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this Prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference into this Prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document that it modifies or supersedes. The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement when made, constituted a misrepresentation, an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to prevent a statement that is made from being false or misleading in the circumstances in which it was made. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this Prospectus.

Any document of the type required by National Instrument 44-101 – Short Form Prospectus Distributions to be incorporated by reference into a short form prospectus, including any annual information forms, material change reports (except confidential material change reports), business acquisition reports, interim financial statements, annual financial statements (in each case, including exhibits containing updated earnings coverage information) and the independent auditor’s report thereon, management’s discussion and analysis and information circulars of the Company filed by the Company with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the completion or withdrawal of any offering under this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. In addition, all documents filed on Form 6-K or Form 40-F by the Company with the SEC on or after the date of this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the registration statement on Form F-10 (the “Registration Statement”) of which this Prospectus forms a part, if and to the extent, in the case of any Report on Form 6-K, expressly provided in such document. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference contain meaningful and material information relating to the Company and readers should review all information contained in this Prospectus, the applicable Prospectus Supplement and the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and therein.

Upon a new annual information form and annual consolidated financial statements being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada during the period that this Prospectus is effective, the previous annual information form, the previous annual consolidated financial statements and all interim consolidated financial statements and in each case the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, and material change reports, filed prior to the commencement of the financial year of the Company in which the new annual information form is filed shall be deemed to no longer be incorporated into this Prospectus for purpose of future offers and sales of Securities under this Prospectus. Upon interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities during the period that this Prospectus is effective, all interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations filed prior to such new interim consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations shall be deemed to no longer be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities under this Prospectus. In addition, upon a new management information circular for an annual meeting of shareholders being filed by the Company with the applicable Canadian securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities during the period that this Prospectus is effective, the previous management information circular filed in respect of the prior annual meeting of shareholders shall no longer be deemed to be incorporated into this Prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of Securities under this Prospectus.

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Our website is included in this Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement as an inactive textual reference only. Except for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement, information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and applicable Prospectus Supplement and should not be considered to be a part of this Prospectus or applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Any “template version” of “marketing materials” (as those terms are defined in National Instrument 41-101— General Prospectus Requirements) pertaining to a distribution of Securities filed after the date of a Prospectus Supplement and before termination of the distribution of Securities offered pursuant to such Prospectus Supplement will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus Supplement for the purposes of the distribution of the Securities to which the Prospectus Supplement pertains.

A Prospectus Supplement containing the specific terms of an offering of Securities and other information in relation to the Securities will be delivered to prospective purchasers of such Securities together with this Prospectus and shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus as of the date of such Prospectus Supplement but only for the purposes of the offering of the Securities covered by that Prospectus Supplement.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements about Shopify’s business outlook, objectives, strategies, plans, strategic priorities and results of operations as well as other statements that are not historical facts. A statement Shopify makes is forward-looking when it uses what Shopify knows and expects today to make a statement about the future. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, “continue”, or the negative of these terms or other similar words. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking. All such forward-looking statements are made under the provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

Specifically, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all statements included in this Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, that address activities, events or developments that Shopify expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based upon our management’s perception of historic trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Although we believe that the plans, intentions, expectations, assumptions and strategies reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to the risks described in detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in documents incorporated by reference herein, that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this Prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference herein.

Forward-looking statements made in this Prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein by reference are based on a number of assumptions that Shopify believed were reasonable on the day it made the forward-looking statements. Refer to the documents incorporated by reference herein for certain assumptions that Shopify has made in preparing forward-looking statements. If our assumptions turn out to be inaccurate, our actual results could be materially different from what we expect.

The forward-looking statements in this Prospectus represent our views as of the date of this Prospectus and forward-looking statements contained in the documents incorporated herein by reference represent our views as of the date of such documents, unless otherwise indicated in such documents. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law.

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Prospective purchasers are cautioned that the risks referred to above are not the only ones that could affect Shopify. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Shopify or that Shopify currently deems to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on Shopify’s financial position, financial performance, cash flows, business or reputation.

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

We are a corporation incorporated under and governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”). Most of our directors and officers reside principally in Canada, and the majority of our assets and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the United States. We have appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it may be difficult for investors who reside in the United States to effect service of process upon these persons in the United States, or to enforce a U.S. court judgment predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us or any of these persons. There is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

We filed with the SEC, concurrently with our Registration Statement, an appointment of agent for service of process on Form F-X. Under the Form F-X, we appointed The Corporation Trust Company as our agent for service of process in the United States in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted by the SEC and any civil suit or action brought against or involving us in a United States court arising out of or related to or concerning the offering of Securities under this Prospectus.

CURRENCY PRESENTATION AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION

We express all amounts in this Prospectus in U.S. dollars, except where otherwise indicated. References to “$” and “US$” are to U.S. dollars and references to “C$” are to Canadian dollars. On May 16, 2017, the Bank of Canada rate of exchange was US$1.00 = C$1.3596 or C$1.00 = US$0.7355.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Shopify files certain reports with, and furnishes other information to, each of the SEC and certain securities regulatory authorities of Canada. Under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States and Canada, such reports and other information may be prepared in accordance with the disclosure requirements of the provincial and territorial securities regulatory authorities of Canada, which requirements are different from those of the United States. As a foreign private issuer, Shopify is exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and Shopify’s officers and directors are exempt from the reporting and short swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Shopify’s reports and other information filed or furnished with or to the SEC are available, from EDGAR at www.sec.gov, as well as from commercial document retrieval services. You may also read (and by paying a fee, copy) any document Shopify files with or furnishes to the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, D.C. (100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549). Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference room. You may also inspect Shopify’s SEC filings at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Shopify’s Canadian filings are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Shopify has filed with the SEC under the Securities Act the Registration Statement relating to the Securities being offered hereunder, of which this Prospectus forms part. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain items of which are contained in the exhibits to the Registration Statement as permitted or required by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Items of information omitted from this Prospectus but contained in the Registration Statement will be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

SHOPIFY INC.

Shopify provides the leading cloud-based, multi-channel commerce platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Merchants use our software to run their business across all of their sales channels, including web and mobile storefronts, physical retail locations, social media storefronts, and marketplaces. As the number of channels over which merchants transact continues to expand, the importance of a multi-channel platform that is both fully integrated and easy to use increases. The Shopify platform provides merchants with a single view of their business and customers across all of their sales channels and enables them to manage products and inventory, process orders and payments, ship orders, build customer relationships and leverage analytics and reporting all from one

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integrated back office. Commerce transacted over mobile devices continues to grow more rapidly than desktop transactions. For several years Shopify has focused on enabling mobile commerce and our merchants are now able to offer their customers the ability to quickly and securely check out by using Apple Pay and other mobile wallets. Using Shopify Mobile, merchants have the ability to set-up, track, and manage their business on the go.

We have accumulated over 10 years of data that we are leveraging to create an intelligent platform that assists merchants in enhancing the experience provided to their customers. We apply machine learning to leverage these massive datasets to improve the effectiveness of our operations, enhance the Shopify platform, improve conversion rates for both ourselves and our merchants, and build solutions that guide merchants in solving key problems that they face, such as pricing and discounting, distribution channels, order fraud, and shipping rate and route optimization.

The Shopify platform has been engineered to enterprise-level standards and functionality while being designed for simplicity and ease-of-use. We have also designed our platform with a robust technical infrastructure able to manage large spikes in traffic and with an app ecosystem to integrate additional functionality. We are constantly innovating and enhancing our platform, with our continuously deployed, multi-tenant architecture ensuring all of our merchants are always using the latest technology.

Shopify’s principal and registered office is located at 150 Elgin Street, 8th floor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 1L4. Additional information about our business is included in the documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.

THE SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

Securities may be sold under this Prospectus by way of secondary offering by or for the account of certain of our securityholders. The Prospectus Supplement that we will file in connection with any offering of Securities by selling securityholders will include the following information:

the names of the selling securityholders;
the number or amount of Securities owned, controlled or directed by each selling securityholder;
the number or amount of Securities being distributed for the account of each selling securityholder;
the number or amount of Securities to be owned by the selling securityholders after the distribution and the percentage that number or amount represents of the total number of our outstanding Securities;
whether the Securities are owned by the selling securityholders both of record and beneficially, of record only, or beneficially only; and
all other information that is required to be included in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds to the Company from any offering of Securities and the proposed use of those proceeds will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to that offering of Securities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE COMPANY

Our authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of which 78,586,649 were issued and outstanding as of May 15, 2017, an unlimited number of Class B multiple voting shares of which 13,139,388 were issued and outstanding as of May 15, 2017, and an unlimited number of preferred shares, issuable in series, none of which are issued and outstanding as of May 15, 2017.

The Class B multiple voting shares carry a greater number of votes per share relative to the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares. The Class A Subordinate Voting Shares are therefore “restricted securities” within the meaning of such term under applicable Canadian securities laws. We are entitled to file this Prospectus on the basis that we comply with Section 12.3(b) of National Instrument 41-101 - General Prospectus Requirements.

Except as described in this Prospectus, the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and the Class B multiple voting shares have the same rights, are equal in all respects and are treated by the Company as if they were one class of shares.

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Rank

The Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares rank pari passu with respect to the payment of dividends, return of capital and distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company or any other distribution of its assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and the holders of Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to participate equally in the remaining property and assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares, without preference or distinction among or between the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and the Class B multiple voting shares, subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares.

Dividends

The holders of outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares are entitled to receive dividends on a share for share basis at such times and in such amounts and form as our board of directors may from time to time determine, but subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares, without preference or distinction among or between the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and the Class B multiple voting shares. We are permitted to pay dividends unless there are reasonable grounds for believing that: (i) we are, or would after such payment be, unable to pay our liabilities as they become due; or (ii) the realizable value of our assets would, as a result of such payment, be less than the aggregate of our liabilities and stated capital of all classes of shares. In the event of a payment of a dividend in the form of shares, Class A Subordinate Voting Shares shall be distributed with respect to outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares shall be distributed with respect to outstanding Class B multiple voting shares, unless otherwise determined by our board.

Voting Rights

Under our restated articles of incorporation, each Class A Subordinate Voting Share is entitled to one vote per share and each Class B multiple voting share is entitled to 10 votes per share. As of May 15, 2017, the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares collectively represent 85.7% of our total issued and outstanding shares and 37.4% of the voting power attached to all of our issued and outstanding shares and the Class B multiple voting shares collectively represent 14.3% of our total issued and outstanding shares and 62.6% of the voting power attached to all of our issued and outstanding shares.

Conversion

The Class A Subordinate Voting Shares are not convertible into any other class of shares. Each outstanding Class B multiple voting share may at any time, at the option of the holder, be converted into one Class A Subordinate Voting Share. Upon the first date that a Class B multiple voting share is Transferred (as defined below) by a holder of Class B multiple voting shares, other than to a Permitted Holder (as defined below) or from any such Permitted Holder back to such holder of Class B multiple voting shares and/or any other Permitted Holder of such holder of Class B multiple voting shares, the holder thereof, without any further action, shall automatically be deemed to have exercised his, her or its rights to convert such Class B multiple voting share into a fully paid and non-assessable Class A Subordinate Voting Share, on a share for share basis.

In addition, all Class B multiple voting shares will convert automatically into Class A Subordinate Voting Shares on the date on which the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares represent less than 5% of the aggregate number of outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares as a group.

For the purposes of the foregoing:

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such specified Person;

“Members of the Immediate Family” means with respect to any individual, each parent (whether by birth or adoption), spouse, or child or other descendants (whether by birth or adoption) of such individual, each spouse of any of the aforementioned Persons, each trust created solely for the benefit of such individual and/or one or more of the aforementioned Persons, and each legal representative of such individual or of any aforementioned Persons (including without limitation a tutor, curator, mandatary due to incapacity, custodian, guardian or testamentary executor), acting in such capacity under the authority of the law, an order from a competent tribunal, a will or a mandate in case of incapacity or similar instrument. For the purposes of this definition, a Person shall be considered

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the spouse of an individual if such Person is legally married to such individual, lives in a civil union with such individual or is the common law partner (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) as amended from time to time) of such individual. A Person who was the spouse of an individual within the meaning of this paragraph immediately before the death of such individual shall continue to be considered a spouse of such individual after the death of such individual;

“Permitted Holders” means, in respect of a holder of Class B multiple voting shares that is an individual, the Members of the Immediate Family of such individual and any Person controlled, directly or indirectly, by any such holder, and in respect of a holder of Class B multiple voting shares that is not an individual, an Affiliate of that holder;

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture or limited liability company;

“Transfer” of a Class B multiple voting share shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A “Transfer” shall also include, without limitation, (1) a transfer of a Class B multiple voting share to a broker or other nominee (regardless of whether or not there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership) or (2) the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over a Class B multiple voting share by proxy or otherwise, provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”: (a) the grant of a proxy to our officers or directors at the request of our board of directors in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of shareholders; or (b) the pledge of a Class B multiple voting share that creates a mere security interest in such share pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the holder of the Class B multiple voting share continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such Class B multiple voting share or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”;

“Voting Control” with respect to a Class B multiple voting share means the exclusive power (whether directly or indirectly) to vote or direct the voting of such Class B multiple voting share by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

A Person is “controlled” by another Person or other Persons if: (1) in the case of a company or other body corporate wherever or however incorporated: (A) securities entitled to vote in the election of directors carrying in the aggregate at least a majority of the votes for the election of directors and representing in the aggregate at least a majority of the participating (equity) securities are held, other than by way of security only, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and (B) the votes carried in the aggregate by such securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the board of directors of such company or other body corporate; or (2) in the case of a Person that is not a company or other body corporate, at least a majority of the participating (equity) and voting interests of such Person are held, directly or indirectly, by or solely for the benefit of the other Person or Persons; and “controls”, “controlling” and “under common control with” shall be interpreted accordingly.

Subdivision or Consolidation

No subdivision or consolidation of the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares or the Class B multiple voting shares may be carried out unless, at the same time, the Class B multiple voting shares or the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, as the case may be, are subdivided or consolidated in the same manner and on the same basis.

Certain Class Votes

Except as required by the CBCA, applicable securities laws or our restated articles of incorporation, holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares will vote together on all matters subject to a vote of holders of both those classes of shares as if they were one class of shares. Under the CBCA, certain types of amendments to our articles of incorporation are subject to approval by special resolution of the holders of our classes of shares voting separately as a class, including amendments to:

change the rights, privileges, restrictions or conditions attached to the shares of that class;
increase the rights or privileges of any class of shares having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of that class; and
make any class of shares having rights or privileges inferior to the shares of such class equal or superior to the shares of that class.

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Without limiting other rights at law of any holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares or Class B multiple voting shares to vote separately as a class, neither the holders of the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares nor the holders of the Class B multiple voting shares shall be entitled to vote separately as a class upon a proposal to amend our articles of incorporation in the case of an amendment to (1) increase or decrease any maximum number of authorized shares of such class, or increase any maximum number of authorized shares of a class having rights or privileges equal or superior to the shares of such class; or (2) create a new class of shares equal or superior to the shares of such class, which rights are otherwise provided for in paragraphs (a), and (e) of subsection 176(1) of the CBCA. Pursuant to our restated articles of incorporation, neither holders of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares nor holders of our Class B multiple voting shares will be entitled to vote separately as a class on a proposal to amend our articles of incorporation to effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the shares of such class pursuant to Section 176(1)(b) of the CBCA unless such exchange, reclassification or cancellation: (a) affects only the holders of that class; or (b) affects the holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares differently, on a per share basis, and such holders are not already otherwise entitled to vote separately as a class under applicable law or our restated articles of incorporation in respect of such exchange, reclassification or cancellation.

Pursuant to our restated articles of incorporation, holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares will be treated equally and identically, on a per share basis, in certain change of control transactions that require approval of our shareholders under the CBCA, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the holders of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares, each voting separately as a class.

Take-Over Bid Protection

Under applicable Canadian law, an offer to purchase Class B multiple voting shares would not necessarily require that an offer be made to purchase Class A Subordinate Voting Shares. In accordance with the rules of the TSX designed to ensure that, in the event of a take-over bid, the holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares will be entitled to participate on an equal footing with holders of Class B multiple voting shares, the holders of not less than 80% of the outstanding Class B multiple voting shares on completion of our initial public offering entered into a customary coattail agreement with Shopify and a trustee (the “Coattail Agreement”). The Coattail Agreement contains provisions customary for dual class, TSX listed corporations designed to prevent transactions that otherwise would deprive the holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares of rights under the take-over bid provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation to which they would have been entitled if the Class B multiple voting shares had been Class A Subordinate Voting Shares.

The undertakings in the Coattail Agreement will not apply to prevent a sale of Class B multiple voting shares by a holder of Class B multiple voting shares party to the Coattail Agreement if concurrently an offer is made to purchase Class A Subordinate Voting Shares that:

(a)offers a price per Class A Subordinate Voting Share at least as high as the highest price per share paid or required to be paid pursuant to the take-over bid for the Class B multiple voting shares;
(b)provides that the percentage of outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares to be taken up (exclusive of shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the offeror or persons acting jointly or in concert with the offeror) is at least as high as the percentage of outstanding Class B multiple voting shares to be sold (exclusive of Class B multiple voting shares owned immediately prior to the offer by the offeror and persons acting jointly or in concert with the offeror);
(c)has no condition attached other than the right not to take up and pay for Class A Subordinate Voting Shares tendered if no shares are purchased pursuant to the offer for Class B multiple voting shares; and
(d)is in all other material respects identical to the offer for Class B multiple voting shares.

In addition, the Coattail Agreement will not prevent the sale of Class B multiple voting shares by a holder thereof to a Permitted Holder, provided such sale does not or would not constitute a take-over bid or, if so, is exempt or would be exempt from the formal bid requirements (as defined in applicable securities legislation). The conversion of Class B multiple voting shares into Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, shall not, in and of itself, constitute a sale of Class B multiple voting shares for the purposes of the Coattail Agreement.

Under the Coattail Agreement, any sale of Class B multiple voting shares (including a transfer to a pledgee as security) by a holder of Class B multiple voting shares party to the Coattail Agreement will be conditional upon the

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transferee or pledgee becoming a party to the Coattail Agreement, to the extent such transferred Class B multiple voting shares are not automatically converted into Class A Subordinate Voting Shares in accordance with our restated articles of incorporation.

The Coattail Agreement contains provisions for authorizing action by the trustee to enforce the rights under the Coattail Agreement on behalf of the holders of the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares. The obligation of the trustee to take such action will be conditional on Shopify or holders of the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares providing such funds and indemnity as the trustee may require. No holder of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares will have the right, other than through the trustee, to institute any action or proceeding or to exercise any other remedy to enforce any rights arising under the Coattail Agreement unless the trustee fails to act on a request authorized by holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and reasonable funds and indemnity have been provided to the trustee.

The Coattail Agreement provides that it may not be amended, and no provision thereof may be waived, unless, prior to giving effect to such amendment or waiver, the following have been obtained: (a) the consent of the TSX and any other applicable securities regulatory authority in Canada and (b) the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares represented at a meeting duly called for the purpose of considering such amendment or waiver, excluding votes attached to Class A Subordinate Voting Shares held directly or indirectly by holders of Class B multiple voting shares, their affiliates and related parties and any persons who have an agreement to purchase Class B multiple voting shares on terms which would constitute a sale for purposes of the Coattail Agreement other than as permitted thereby.

No provision of the Coattail Agreement limits the rights of any holders of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares under applicable law.

Preferred Shares

We are authorized to issue an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series. Each series of preferred shares shall consist of such number of shares and having such rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions as may be determined by our board of directors prior to the issuance thereof. Holders of preferred shares, except as otherwise provided in the terms specific to a series of preferred shares or as required by law, will not be entitled to vote at meetings of holders of shares, and will not be entitled to vote separately as a class upon a proposal to amend our articles of incorporation in the case of an amendment of the kind referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (e) of subsection 176(1) of the CBCA. With respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the preferred shares are entitled to preference over the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, Class B multiple voting shares and any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares and may also be given such other preferences over Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, Class B multiple voting shares and any other shares ranking junior to the preferred shares as may be determined at the time of creation of such series.

The issuance of preferred shares and the terms selected by our board of directors could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares or adversely affect the rights and powers, including the voting rights, of the holders of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares without any further vote or action by the holders of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B multiple voting shares. The issuance of preferred shares, or the issuance of rights to purchase preferred shares, could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting shares and thereby have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or an unsolicited acquisition proposal or of making the removal of management more difficult. Additionally, the issuance of preferred shares may have the effect of decreasing the market price of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has no Debt Securities outstanding. The Company may issue Debt Securities, separately or together, with Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units or any combination thereof, as the case may be. The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series under an indenture (the “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company and one or more trustees (the “Trustee”) that will be named in a Prospectus Supplement for a series of Debt Securities. To the extent applicable, the Indenture will be subject to and governed by the United States Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as

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amended. A copy of the form of the Indenture to be entered into has been or will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and will be filed with the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada when it is entered into. The description of certain provisions of the Indenture in this section do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Indenture. Terms used in this summary that are not otherwise defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Indenture. The particular terms relating to Debt Securities offered by a Prospectus Supplement will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement. This description may include, but may not be limited to, any of the following, if applicable:

the specific designation of the Debt Securities; any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities; the date or dates, if any, on which the Debt Securities will mature and the portion (if less than all of the principal amount) of the Debt Securities to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of maturity;
the rate or rates (whether fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue and on which any such interest will be payable and the record dates for any interest payable on the Debt Securities that are in registered form;
the terms and conditions under which we may be obligated to redeem, repay or purchase the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or otherwise;
the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the Debt Securities, in whole or in part, at our option;
the covenants applicable to the Debt Securities;
the terms and conditions for any conversion or exchange of the Debt Securities for any other securities;
whether the Debt Securities will be issuable in registered form or bearer form or both, and, if issuable in bearer form, the restrictions as to the offer, sale and delivery of the Debt Securities which are in bearer form and as to exchanges between registered form and bearer form;
whether the Debt Securities will be issuable in the form of registered global securities (“Global Securities”), and, if so, the identity of the depositary for such registered Global Securities;
the denominations in which registered Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and the denominations in which bearer Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than $5,000;
each office or agency where payments on the Debt Securities will be made and each office or agency where the Debt Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;
if other than United States dollars, the currency in which the Debt Securities are denominated or the currency in which we will make payments on the Debt Securities;
material Canadian federal income tax consequences and United States federal income tax consequences of owning the Debt Securities;
any index, formula or other method used to determine the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities; and
any other terms of the Debt Securities which apply solely to the Debt Securities.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the Debt Securities in a currency or currencies other than United States dollars or a non-United States dollar unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any Debt Securities is payable in a currency or currencies other than United States dollars or a non-United States dollar unit or units, we will provide investors with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of Debt Securities and such non-United States dollar currency or currencies or non-United States dollar unit or units in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Each series of Debt Securities may be issued at various times with different maturity dates, may bear interest at different rates and may otherwise vary.

The terms on which a series of Debt Securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for Class A Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities of the Company will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. These

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terms may include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at the option of the Company, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of Class A Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of Debt Securities would be subject to adjustment.

To the extent any Debt Securities are convertible into Class A Subordinate Voting Shares or other securities of the Company, prior to such conversion the holders of such Debt Securities will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities into which the Debt Securities are convertible, including the right to receive payments of dividends or the right to vote such underlying securities.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has no Warrants outstanding. The Company may issue Warrants, separately or together, with Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Subscription Receipts or Units or any combination thereof, as the case may be. The Warrants would be issued under a separate Warrant agreement or indenture. The specific terms and provisions that will apply to any Warrants that may be offered by us pursuant to this Prospectus will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

the number of Warrants offered;
the price or prices, if any, at which the Warrants will be issued;
the currency at which the Warrants will be offered and in which the exercise price under the Warrants may be payable;
upon exercise of the Warrant, the events or conditions under which the amount of Securities may be subject to adjustment;
the date on which the right to exercise such Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
if applicable, the identity of the Warrant agent;
whether the Warrants will be listed on any securities exchange;
whether the Warrants will be issued with any other Securities and, if so, the amount and terms of these Securities;
any minimum or maximum subscription amount;
whether the Warrants are to be issued in registered form, “book-entry only” form, non-certificated inventory system form, bearer form or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities and the basis of exchange, transfer and ownership thereof;
any material risk factors relating to such Warrants and the Securities to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants;
any other rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Warrants and the Securities to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants; and
any other material terms or conditions of the Warrants and the Securities to be issued upon exercise of the Warrants.

The terms and provisions of any Warrants offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described above, and may not be subject to or contain any or all of the terms described above.

Prior to the exercise of any Warrants, holders of such Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of dividends or the right to vote such underlying securities.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has no Subscription Receipts outstanding. The Company may issue Subscription Receipts, separately or together, with Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, or Units or any combination thereof, as the case may be. The Subscription Receipts would be

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issued under an agreement or indenture. The specific terms and provisions that will apply to any Subscription Receipts that may be offered by us pursuant to this Prospectus will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

the number of Subscription Receipts offered;
the price or prices, if any, at which the Subscription Receipts will be issued;
the manner of determining the offering price(s);
the currency at which the Subscription Receipts will be offered and whether the price is payable in installments;
the Securities into which the Subscription Receipts may be exchanged;
conditions to the exchange of Subscription Receipts into other Securities and the consequences of such conditions not being satisfied;
the number of Securities that may be issued upon the exchange of each Subscription Receipt and the price per Security or the aggregate principal amount, denominations and terms of the series of Debt Securities that may be issued upon exchange of the Subscription Receipts, and the events or conditions under which the amount of Securities may be subject to adjustment;
the dates or periods during which the Subscription Receipts may be exchanged;
the circumstances, if any, which will cause the Subscription Receipts to be deemed to be automatically exchanged;
provisions applicable to any escrow of the gross or net proceeds from the sale of the Subscription Receipts plus any interest or income earned thereon, and for the release of such proceeds from such escrow;
if applicable, the identity of the Subscription Receipt agent;
whether the Subscription Receipts will be listed on any securities exchange;
whether the Subscription Receipts will be issued with any other Securities and, if so, the amount and terms of these Securities;
any minimum or maximum subscription amount;
whether the Subscription Receipts are to be issued in registered form, “book-entry only” form, noncertificated inventory system form, bearer form or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities and the basis of exchange, transfer and ownership thereof;
any material risk factors relating to such Subscription Receipts and the Securities to be issued upon exchange of the Subscription Receipts;
material Canadian federal income tax consequences and United States federal income tax consequences of owning the Subscription Receipts and the Securities to be issued upon exchange of the Subscription Receipts;
any other rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Subscription Receipts and the Securities to be issued upon exchange of the Subscription Receipts; and
any other material terms or conditions of the Subscription Receipts and the Securities to be issued upon exchange of the Subscription Receipts.

The terms and provisions of any Subscription Receipts offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described above, and may not be subject to or contain any or all of the terms described above.

Prior to the exchange of any Subscription Receipts, holders of such Subscription Receipts will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities for which the Subscription Receipts may be exchanged, including the right to receive payments of dividends or the right to vote such underlying securities.

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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Company has no Units outstanding. The Company may issue Units, separately or together, with Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, or Subscription Receipts or any combination thereof, as the case may be. Each Unit would be issued so that the holder of the Unit is also the holder of each Security comprising the Unit. Thus, the holder of a Unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each applicable Security. The specific terms and provisions that will apply to any Units that may be offered by us pursuant to this Prospectus will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:

the number of Units offered;
the price or prices, if any, at which the Units will be issued;
the manner of determining the offering price(s);
the currency at which the Units will be offered;
the Securities comprising the Units;
whether the Units will be issued with any other Securities and, if so, the amount and terms of these Securities;
any minimum or maximum subscription amount;
whether the Units and the Securities comprising the Units are to be issued in registered form, “book-entry only” form, non-certificated inventory system form, bearer form or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities and the basis of exchange, transfer and ownership thereof;
any material risk factors relating to such Units or the Securities comprising the Units;
material Canadian federal income tax consequences and United States federal income tax consequences of owning the Securities comprising the Units;
any other rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the Units or the Securities comprising the Units; and
any other material terms or conditions of the Units or the Securities comprising the Units, including whether and under what circumstances the Securities comprising the Units may be held or transferred separately.

The terms and provisions of any Units offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ from the terms described above, and may not be subject to or contain any or all of the terms described above.

CONSOLIDATED CAPITALIZATION

The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe any material change, and the effect of such material change, on the share and loan capitalization of the Company that will result from the issuance of Securities pursuant to such Prospectus Supplement.

There have been no material changes to the Company’s share and loan capitalization on a consolidated basis since March 31, 2017.

EARNINGS COVERAGE RATIOS

The applicable Prospectus Supplement will provide, as required, the earnings coverage ratios with respect to the issuance of Securities pursuant to such Prospectus Supplement.

PRIOR SALES

Prior sales of our Securities will be provided, as required, in a Prospectus Supplement with respect to the issuance of Securities pursuant to such Prospectus Supplement.

TRADING PRICE AND VOLUME

Trading price and volume of our Securities will be provided, as required, in each Prospectus Supplement to this Prospectus.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell Securities directly to one or more purchasers, through agents, or through underwriters or dealers designated by us from time to time. We may distribute the Securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices (which may be changed from time to time), at market prices prevailing at the times of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. A description of such pricing will be disclosed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. We may offer Securities in the same offering, or we may offer Securities in separate offerings.

This Prospectus may also, from time to time, relate to the offering of our Securities by certain selling securityholders. The selling securityholders may sell all or a portion of our Securities beneficially owned by them and offered thereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Our Securities may be sold by the selling securityholders in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.

A Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of each specific offering of Securities, including (i) the terms of the Securities to which the Prospectus Supplement relates, including the type of Security being offered; (ii) the name or names of any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in such offering of Securities; (iii) the name or names of any selling securityholders; (iv) the purchase price of the Securities offered thereby and the proceeds to, and the portion of expenses borne by, the Company from the sale of such Securities; (v) any agents’ commission, underwriting discounts and other items constituting compensation payable to agents, underwriters or dealers; and (vi) any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to agents, underwriters or dealers.

If underwriters are used in an offering, the Securities offered thereby will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Only underwriters named in the Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Securities offered thereby. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase Securities will be subject to the conditions precedent agreed upon by the parties and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all Securities under that offering if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to agents, underwriters or dealers may be changed from time to time.

The Securities may also be sold: (i) directly by the Company or the selling securityholders at such prices and upon such terms as agreed to; or (ii) through agents designated by the Company or the selling securityholders from time to time. Any agent involved in the offering and sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the Company and/or selling securityholder to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any agent is acting on a “best efforts” basis for the period of its appointment.

We and/or the selling securityholders may agree to pay the underwriters a commission for various services relating to the issue and sale of any Securities offered under any Prospectus Supplement. Agents, underwriters or dealers who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be entitled under agreements to be entered into with the Company and/or the selling securityholders to indemnification by the Company and/or the selling securityholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under securities legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in respect thereof.

Agents, underwriters or dealers may make sales of Securities in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in and subject to limitations imposed by and the terms of any regulatory approvals required and obtained under, applicable Canadian securities laws which includes sales made directly on an existing trading market for the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. In connection with any offering of Securities, except with respect to “at-the-market” offerings, underwriters may over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the offered Securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at any time. No underwriter or dealer involved in an “at-the-market” offering, as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws, no affiliate of such an underwriter or dealer and no person or company acting jointly or in concert with such an underwriter or

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dealer will over-allot Securities in connection with such distribution or effect any other transactions that are intended to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities. In the event that the Company determines to pursue an “at-the-market” offering in Canada, the Company will apply for the required exemptive relief from the applicable Canadian securities commissions.

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by eligible institutions to purchase Securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Each class or series of Securities, other than the Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, that is not a secondary offering will be a new issue of Securities with no established trading market. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units will not be listed on any securities exchange. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, there is no market through which the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units purchased under this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement. This may affect the pricing of the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of the securities, and the extent of issuer regulation. Subject to applicable laws, certain dealers may make a market in the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units, as applicable, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given that any dealer will make a market in the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units or as to the liquidity of the trading market, if any, for the Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts or Units.

CERTAIN CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The applicable Prospectus Supplement may describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor acquiring any Securities offered thereunder. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors prior to deciding to purchase any of the Securities.

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR U.S. RESIDENTS

The applicable Prospectus Supplement may describe certain United States federal income tax consequences to an investor acquiring any Securities offered thereunder. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors prior to deciding to purchase any of the Securities.

RISK FACTORS

Before making an investment decision, prospective purchasers of Securities should carefully consider the information described in this Prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, including the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Additional risk factors relating to a specific offering of Securities will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Some of the risk factors described herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and/or the applicable Prospectus Supplement are interrelated and, consequently, investors should treat such risk factors as a whole. If any event arising from these risks occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or your investment in the Securities could be materially adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties of which we currently are unaware or that are unknown or that we currently deem to be immaterial could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. We cannot assure you that we will successfully address any or all of these risks.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities, the issue and sale of the Securities will be passed upon on our behalf by Stikeman Elliott LLP as to legal matters relating to Canadian law and by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as to matters relating to United States law. The partners, counsel and associates of Stikeman Elliott LLP, as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, less than one percent of any class of our securities.

AUDITORS, REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT

The independent auditor of the Company is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants, at its office in Ottawa, Ontario.

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The transfer agent and registrar of our Class A Subordinate Voting Shares in the United States is Computershare Trust Company, N.A. at its principal office in Canton, Massachusetts, and in Canada is Computershare Investor Services Inc. at its principal office in Toronto, Ontario.

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

The following documents have been or will be filed or furnished with the SEC as part of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part: (i) the documents listed under the heading “Documents Incorporated by Reference”; (ii) powers of attorney from our directors and officers, as applicable; (iii) the consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; and (iv) the form of indenture relating to the Debt Securities. A copy of the form of warrant agreement, subscription receipt agreement or statement of eligibility of trustee on Form T-1, as applicable, will be filed by post-effective amendment or by incorporation by reference to documents filed or furnished with the SEC under the Exchange Act.

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PART II
   
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA"), we may indemnify our current or former directors or officers or another individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with us or another entity. The CBCA also provides that we may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such a proceeding; provided that such individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions described below.

However, indemnification is prohibited under the CBCA unless the individual:

acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests, or the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as director or officer or in a similar capacity at our request; and
in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful.

Our by-laws require us to indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by the CBCA each of our current or former directors or officers and each individual who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including, without limitation, an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of his or her association with us or another entity.

Our by-laws authorize us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of each of our current or former directors or officers and each person who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity.

We have entered into indemnity agreements with our directors and certain officers which provide, among other things, that we will indemnify him or her to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against all liabilities, costs, charges and expenses incurred as a result of his or her actions in the exercise of his or her duties as a director or officer.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

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EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Annual Information Form of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, dated February 14, 2017 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 15, 2017).
4.2
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 15, 2017).
4.3
Audited consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as at and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 including the auditor’s report thereon (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 15, 2017).
4.4
Management Information Circular of the Registrant dated May 2, 2017 in connection with the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Registrant to be held on June 7, 2017 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on May 2, 2017).
4.5
Unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as at and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, together with the notes thereto (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on May 2, 2017).
4.6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on May 2, 2017).
5.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
6.1
Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature page of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-10 filed with the Commission on July 29, 2016) (File No. 333-212751).
7.1
Form of Indenture (incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-10 filed with the Commission on August 5, 2016) (File No. 333-212751).

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PART III
   
UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

Item 1. Undertaking.

The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to this Form F-10 or to transactions in such securities.

Item 2. Consent to Service of Process.

(a) Concurrently with the filing of this Registration Statement, the Registrant is filing with the Commission a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X.

(b) Any change to the name or address of the Registrant's agent for service shall be communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to Form F-X referencing the file number of this Registration Statement.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-10 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, on May 17, 2017.

 
SHOPIFY INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Tobias Lütke
 
 
Name:
Tobias Lütke
 
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by or on behalf of the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 17, 2017.

Signature
Title
   
 
/s/ Tobias Lütke
 
Tobias Lütke
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
   
 
/s/ Russell Jones
 
Russell Jones
Chief Financial Officer
   
 
*
 
Robert Ashe
Director
   
 
*
 
Steven Collins
Director
   
 
*
 
Jeremy Levine
Director
   
 
/s/ Gail Goodman
 
Gail Goodman
Director
   
 
*
 
John Phillips
Director
*By:
/s/ Russell Jones
 
 
Russell Jones
 
 
Attorney-in-fact

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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned certifies that it is the duly authorized United States representative of the Registrant and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form F-10 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, on May 17, 2017.

 
Shopify Payments (USA) Inc.
(Authorized Representative in the United States)
 
By:
/s/ Russell Jones
 
 
Name:
Russell Jones
 
 
Title:
President and CFO

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EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Annual Information Form of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, dated February 14, 2017 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 15, 2017).
4.2
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 15, 2017).
4.3
Audited consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as at and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 including the auditor’s report thereon (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed with the Commission on February 15, 2017).
4.4
Management Information Circular of the Registrant dated May 2, 2017 in connection with the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Registrant to be held on June 7, 2017 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on May 2, 2017).
4.5
Unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Registrant as at and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, together with the notes thereto (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on May 2, 2017).
4.6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the Commission on May 2, 2017).
5.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
6.1
Powers of Attorney (contained on the signature page of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-10 filed with the Commission on July 29, 2016) (File No. 333-212751).
7.1
Form of Indenture (incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-10 filed with the Commission on August 5, 2016) (File No. 333-212751).

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