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Billionaire Profile
Jim McKelvey
Global Rank
#2296

Image: Jessica Kopitske | CC BY-SA 3.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Jim McKelvey

CEO, Mobile payments
St. Louis, Missouri
Real-Time Net Worth
$1.83B
Estimated based on Mobile payments stock value as of September 10, 2026
-0.46% (24h)
Age
60
Source
Mobile payments
Industry
Technology
Citizenship
United States

Biography

James Morgan McKelvey Jr. is a prominent American entrepreneur, with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion as of 2024, primarily from his involvement in mobile payments. He co-founded Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) in 2009, revolutionizing financial services for merchants. McKelvey's career includes founding multiple companies and serving on the board of directors for Block, Inc. He is also the founder of Invisibly. McKelvey has significantly contributed to the technology sector and is known for his innovation and philanthropy, including founding LaunchCode, a non-profit focused on tech education and job placement.

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Data Updated
Sep 10, 2026
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Wealth Over Time

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$1.83B
2025$1.60B
2024$1.60B
2023$2.00B

Portfolio Holdings

Block, Inc.

Block, Inc.

XYZ•technology
$1.79B
Holdings Value
Ownership
5%
Market Cap
$35.8B
Stock Price
$59.71
Revenue
$24.0B
San Francisco, CA
11,372 employees
Founded 2009

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

James Morgan McKelvey Jr. was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Ladue Horton Watkins High School and later graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with bachelor's degrees in economics and computer science in 1983. During his time at Washington University, he also worked as a glassblowing instructor.

Rise to Success

McKelvey's career began with founding Mira Conference Inc. in 1989. In 2002, he founded Third Degree Glass Factory, a glass art studio and gallery in St. Louis. In 2009, he co-founded Square, Inc. (now Block, Inc.) with Jack Dorsey, which transformed mobile payments. Square's card reader design was recognized by the Museum of Modern Art in 2011. McKelvey served as chairman of Square until 2010 and remains on Block's board.

Key Business Strategies

McKelvey has demonstrated a knack for solving problems, as seen with Square's creation. His willingness to embrace new technologies and build stable organizational structures highlights his strategic approach. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, he founded LaunchCode, a non-profit focused on tech education.

Philanthropy

In 2016, McKelvey donated $15 million to Washington University's School of Engineering and Applied Science for a new computer science and engineering building. He and his wife Anna signed The Giving Pledge. Their philanthropic endeavors are managed through The Alpha Epsilon Fund.

Career Milestones

1989

Co-founded Mira Conference Inc.

Founded Mira, a commercial document imaging system

2002

Founded Third Degree Glass Factory

Founded a glass art studio and gallery in St. Louis.

2009

Co-founded Square, Inc. (now Block, Inc.)

Co-founded the mobile payment company.

2010

Stepped Down as Chairman of Square, Inc.

Served as chairman until 2010 and currently sits on the Board of Directors at Block, Inc.

2013

Co-founded LaunchCode

Co-founded LaunchCode, a non-profit organization focused on talent growth and job training in technology.

2016

Founded Invisibly

Founded Invisibly, a company seeking to allow consumers to profit from their online data.

2017

Appointed as an Independent Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Appointed as an independent director.

2019

Washington University's engineering school renamed the McKelvey School of Engineering.

Renamed in honor of his father's accomplishments.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Washington University School of Engineering

$15M

Donated for a new computer science and engineering building.

Education

LaunchCode

Co-founded LaunchCode, a non-profit focused on tech education and job placement.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"Philanthropy should be a platform for structural innovation. It's not just capital that changes the world—it's creativity."

"The greatest thing you can have as an entrepreneur is control of the product."

Leadership Principles

Innovation

Embracing innovation in the sense that we need to get to grips with prominent technology.

Customer-Driven Solutions

Advocating for customer-driven solutions to solve problems.

Billionaires Connected to Jim McKelvey

Peers in Technology

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Adjacent Global Ranks

Full global ranking →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jim McKelvey's net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Jim McKelvey's estimated net worth is $1.828 billion, ranking #2296 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.
How did Jim McKelvey make their money?
Jim McKelvey's wealth primarily comes from Mobile payments, most notably through Mobile payments.
Where is Jim McKelvey from?
Jim McKelvey is from United States.
How old is Jim McKelvey?
Jim McKelvey is 60 years old.

Sources & References

  1. Jim McKelvey — Forbes profile — Forbes