Pieter van der Does (born 1969) is a Dutch billionaire entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and CEO of Adyen, one of the world’s leading payments technology companies. With a long track record in fintech and digital commerce, he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most influential tech leaders. As of 2024, his estimated net worth is around US$1.8 billion, derived primarily from his stake in Adyen.

Early Life and Education

Born in Amstelveen, Netherlands, Pieter van der Does grew up with an early curiosity for global business and technology. He pursued economics between 1988 and 1995, studying at Clark University, the University of Amsterdam, and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University.

His academic journey was punctuated by adventurous breaks spent mountaineering, reflecting his lifelong passion for challenge and exploration. Van der Does later completed a master’s degree in economics at the University of Amsterdam, laying the foundation for his future career in finance and technology.

Career Beginnings

Van der Does started his professional career in 1995 at ING Netherlands, where he worked as an operational manager. In 1996, he moved to Elsevier, gaining broader exposure to business operations and technology-driven workflows.

These early roles helped him build the operational and strategic insights that would later define his leadership in the fintech industry.

Founding Bibit: First Steps Into Fintech

In 1999, Van der Does co-founded Bibit Global Payment Services, a pioneering online payments startup. As the company’s chief commerce officer, he played a critical role in scaling its commercial operations.

Bibit quickly became a major player in the payments market and was acquired in 2004 by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Van der Does continued to serve on the company’s board until 2006, sharpening his expertise in financial infrastructure and international commerce.

Co-Founding Adyen: Building a Global Payments Powerhouse

In 2006, Pieter van der Does teamed up with Arnout Schuijff to launch Adyen, a next-generation platform enabling online businesses to process electronic payments.

The founders’ goal was simple yet revolutionary: build a modern payments infrastructure from scratch, free from legacy systems.

Under Van der Does’ leadership, Adyen became the payments partner for some of the world’s biggest digital brands, including Spotify, Facebook, Netflix, and eBay.

Adyen’s 2018 initial public offering was a defining milestone. The company debuted at a valuation of €13.4 billion, instantly cementing its status among Europe’s most valuable fintech companies.

In 2020, Van der Does entered the Forbes Billionaires List for the first time, underscoring Adyen’s global success and his status as a major figure in the fintech world.

Personal Life

Pieter van der Does lives in Amsterdam, where he resides with his wife and their two children — a son and a daughter. Despite leading one of Europe’s most high-profile tech companies, he is known for maintaining a low public profile and prioritizing privacy.