Niraj Shah
Niraj S. Shah | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1973/1974 Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder, co-chairman, and CEO of Wayfair |
Niraj S. Shah (born 1973/1974) is an American entrepreneur, recognized as the co-founder, co-chairman, and chief executive officer of the e-commerce company Wayfair.
Early life
Raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Shah is the son of Indian immigrant parents. His grandfather was involved in steel manufacturing in India, while his father initially worked as a mechanical engineer at General Electric before transitioning to a financial advisory role at Wayfair. Shah completed his undergraduate studies in engineering at Cornell University, graduating in 1995.
Career
In 2002, Shah partnered with his Cornell classmate Steve Conine to establish Wayfair, where he has held the CEO position since the company's founding. Through his guidance, Wayfair has grown into a prominent online retailer specializing in home goods. In 2013, Fortune included him on its "40 under 40" list.
Between 2017 and 2019, Shah was a member of the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. In May 2017, Wayfair's share price exceeded $70, elevating both Shah and Conine to billionaire status. By April 2022, Shah's net worth was estimated at $1.6 billion.
Philanthropy
Together with his wife Jill, Shah established the Shah Family Foundation in 2017, which focuses on supporting programs related to education and healthcare.
Personal life
Shah is married to Jill Shah; they have two children and live in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. In 2013, Jill sold her alternative medicine directory business, Jill's List—which employed seven staff members—to California-based MINDBODY and currently oversees their Boston office.