When it comes to graphic design software, Canva stands out as one of the most accessible tools. Although some critics argue that it is not conventional design software, it is undeniable that Canva is making it easier for millions of people, even those with no prior design experience, to improve their social media graphics and renew their visual identity. Behind this popular tool is Melanie Perkins, the woman responsible for its creation. Perkins currently serves as the company's CEO. Canva was launched in 2013 by Perkins, her current husband Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, a friend of the couple. Canva's current valuation exceeds $40 billion.
Some difficult beginnings
At the age of just 35, Perkins has become Australia's youngest billionaire. Since 2020, she has been the third richest woman in her country, where she has become an icon of success in the technology sector. Recently, she has added more achievements to her list: Perkins is the wealthiest "self-made" woman under 40, and Canva is considered the fifth largest startup in the world. The first company founded by Perkins, whose father is of Malaysian descent, was Fusion Books, a platform allowing students to create their own yearbooks, which continues to operate today and has become one of the leading yearbook publishers in Australia. . Perkins and Obrecht launched this startup when they were just 19 years old, and due to lack of funding, they set up the company headquarters in the living room of Perkins' mother's house in Australia.
A Google guru, the turning point
Perkins has shared that he experienced over a hundred rejections from investors in Perth. However, their luck changed when Bill Tai, an investor with a wide network of contacts, visited Perth in 2011 to judge a startup competition. It was at this event where they presented Canva for the first time. Although they failed to obtain funding at the time, they established a close relationship with Tai, who invited them to participate in numerous technology events and even took them to Silicon Valley.
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The couple's fortunes took a turn when Cameron Adams, a former Google executive, was impressed by the project. An exceptional talent, Adams contributed significantly to improving Canva and securing the funding they had been seeking. With financial backing and a clear vision, it wasn't long before they took off: the company reached 600,000 users in less than a year after launching in 2013. The success of Canva, which quickly expanded beyond the borders of Australia, too, has highlighted Perkins in a historically male-dominated world. She was included on Forbes' list of 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 in 2016, as well as Forbes' Top 30 Entrepreneurs of the Decade.
Make a better world
Currently, Perkins is estimated to be worth $6.5 billion. However, unlike other technology leaders, it has never been known for its financial ostentation. In fact, it seems that he does not give much importance to accumulating large sums of money and, together with Obrecht, he is determined to allocate the majority of his stake in Canva to charities through the Canva Foundation. In line with this commitment, the couple signed a letter in 2021 expressing their intention to make Canva "one of the most valuable companies in the world" and at the same time, "do the most good possible" through philanthropic actions. "We firmly believe that there is enough wealth, goodwill and good intentions in the world to address most global problems. We consider this not only a great opportunity, but also a significant responsibility, and we are committed to dedicating our lives to it ", they stated in their commitment.
