Patrick and John Collison co-founded Stripe in 2010 as a digital-payments technology company.
The Irish brothers created Stripe to make it easier for internet businesses to accept payments and manage related financial operations through software tools. The company’s developer-focused approach distinguished it from consumer-facing payment brands that primarily operate as digital wallets.
Stripe was founded under the name /dev/payments before becoming Stripe. Its headquarters and corporate structure have involved both the United States and Ireland, reflecting the founders’ Irish background and the company’s international operations.
Stripe is often confused with Square, now called Block. Square was founded by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey, while Stripe was founded by Patrick and John Collison. The two companies both provide payment infrastructure but have different origins and product histories.