Canva
Unicorn · $40B500 Global '12Surry Hills, Nsw, AU · Founded 2012 · Delaware corporation · 50 known investors
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Design platform; Blackbird invested when it was just an idea and in every round since.
Also known as Canva Pty Ltd
Founders & leadership
Canva was founded in 2012 by Melanie Perkins, Clifford Obrecht, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams.
Investors · 50
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Also in the syndicate · 4
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$43.7M disclosed across 4 of 6 rounds · 2014–2021
▶$15MraisedSep 2016 · 3 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Melanie PerkinsExecutive Officer, Director
- Clifford ObrechtExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $16M
- Amount sold
- $15M
- First sale
- Sep 2016
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2012
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$27.6MraisedOct 2015 · 65 investors · ComputersRule 506(b)
- Clifford James ObrechtExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Melanie Joy PerkinsExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Offering amount
- $27.6M
- Amount sold
- $27.6M
- First sale
- Sep 2015
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2012
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$250KraisedJun 2014 · 2 investors · ComputersRule 506(b)
- Clifford James ObrechtExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Melanie Joy PerkinsExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Offering amount
- $1.5M
- Amount sold
- $250K
- First sale
- Jun 2014
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2012
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$810.1KraisedMar 2014 · 11 investors · OtherRule 506(b)
- Melanie Joy PerkinsExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Clifford James ObrechtExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
- Offering amount
- $1.5M
- Amount sold
- $810.1K
- First sale
- Feb 2014
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2012
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Valuation · disclosed
Disclosed eventsSource: SEC prospectus filings, and round valuations the company or its investors disclosed — follow each entry's link for the claim.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Canva operates an online design and publishing platform that lets users create visual and document content without prior design skills. The web product spans a broad catalogue of document and asset types, including presentations, social media posts, logos, business cards, flyers, posters, brochures, resumes, certificates, infographics, invitations, newsletters, whiteboards, docs, sheets, forms and websites, alongside print and merchandise items such as stickers, t-shirts, mugs, tote bags and canvas prints [3].
The platform also includes editing and generative AI features marketed under names such as Magic Write, Text to Image, Canva AI, photo and video editors, a screen recorder, and a range of AI generators for logos, posters, portraits, thumbnails and 3D models [3]. Canva is available across operating systems, with a Canva for Android app among its releases, and provides free templates and step-by-step how-to guides organised by use case (office and business, social media, photos and videos, custom prints, marketing, education) [3][6].
The company is headquartered in Sydney; in late 2022 founders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht acquired a nine-level Kippax Street building in Surry Hills for A$123.25 million and subsequently commissioned COX Architecture for a $56 million redevelopment adding a rooftop level, cafe, gym and community space [7].
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Competitors · 5
by search overlap
Companies competing with Canva for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Acquisitions · 1
Early investors' stakes continue via these dealsOrtto is a platform that combines marketing automation, customer data (CDP), analytics, and customer support in one tool, offering features such as journeys, email/SMS/push messaging, dashboards, lead scoring, and an AI-powered support inbox. It serves businesses from startups to enterprises across B2B and B2C markets.
Timeline · 7
launches, deals, and filingsCOX Architecture was commissioned to complete a $56 million redevelopment of the 8-24 Kippax Street office building, adding a rooftop level and terrace, a ground-floor cafe, and a gym, studio and community space on the lower ground level, while removing parking levels.
$56M source ↗
It was reported that early investors and employees at Canva would sell around $1.5 billion worth of stock, with the company estimated to be worth around $40 billion.
$1.5B source ↗
Canva's workplace won Fast Company's 2023 Best Workplace for Innovators prize, as cited in COX Architecture's design report for the Kippax Street project.
Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht spent $123.25 million on a nine-level building on Kippax Street, Surry Hills, opposite News Corp's Sydney base.
$123.3M source ↗
Canva Print was rolled out across the US, Europe and Australia, with Mexico added most recently at the time of reporting.
Canva raised a US$40 million round led by Blackbird Ventures, with Sequoia China joining existing investors Blackbird Ventures and Felicis Ventures, giving the company a US$1 billion valuation. Management stated the company was profitable and that capital from prior rounds remained untouched.
$40M source ↗
Product releases in the year of the US$40M round included availability of the platform in 100 languages and a Canva for Android app.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureIn the news
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Canvacanva.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Canva do?
- Australian online design and publishing platform offering templates and tools for creating graphics, documents and video.
- Who founded Canva?
- Canva was founded by Melanie Perkins, Clifford Obrecht, Cliff Obrecht, Cameron Adams in 2012.
- Who are Canva's investors?
- Canva's investors include 500 Global, AirTree Ventures, Alkeon Innovation, Alpha Square Group, Altra Venture, Athletic Ventures, B Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners and 38 more.
- How much funding has Canva raised?
- Canva has disclosed $43.7M raised across 4 of its 6 known rounds.
- Where is Canva headquartered?
- Canva is headquartered in Surry Hills, Nsw, AU.