How Canva CEO Melanie Perkins turned her small Australian college startup into global unicorn | E939

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Published 2019-05-28

Canva CEO & Co-Founder Melanie Perkins shares insights from growing her Australian college startup into a global unicorn with over one billion designs & 15m monthly active users, breaking into Silicon Valley, landing the first investment from Mary Meeker's Bond, & realizing her vision to be one of the world's most valuable companies, doing the most good one can do

A HUGE Thanks to our generous Patreon supporters: Stefan Samne, Niall Dennehy, Tom Meagher, Justin Gough, Abdel Bioud, Carlos Aguilar, Podcast Notes, Mike Jonas, Tasneem, Vin Dowling, Stefano Vettorazzi, Mikael Pawlo, Luke Mroz, Tim-Kress Spatz, Dith Na, Jeremy Davidson, Clayton Memele & Tolu!!!
www.patreon.com/twistartups

Show notes:

0:49 - Jason introduces Melanie Perkins.

2:35 - Melanie tells Canva's origin story.

10:24 - Jason thanks sponsor EquityZen. Go to equityzen.com/twist to get started for half the minimum investment ($10k).

12:38 - Melanie describes her Twitter habits.

13:12 - Meeting Bill Tai and getting him to invest.

21:38 - Getting a $1.4M grant from the Australian gov’t that matched her first round of funding.

26:48 - Jason thanks sponsor Scott Walker and Walker Corporate Law. Visit them at walkercorporatelaw.com.

30:17 - Melanie describes how and why Canva got into the ad template space and describes recent acquisitions.

36:48 - Meeting Mary Meeker and securing her first investment at Bond Capital.

46:15 - Jason thanks sponsor Carta. To get 20% off Carta's cap table software and 409A valuations, go to carta.com/twist.

48:50 - Canva’s next chapter after raising a $70M Series D.

All Comments (21)

@fabulous178 6 months ago

I enjoyed the interview. The power of partnership. She is a great woman. Simplicity from start to finish. A smarter and generous being. Keep it up and Go for Gold.🏅🏅🏆
@keithcline6694 4 years ago

I've been an avid Canva user for user... thank you Melanie for creating such an amazing product!
@karlaivonne6720 4 years ago

32! Wow! What a story. Thank you for sharing. She’s goals on all levels.
@doncan1446 1 year ago

tbh canva ist so good. intuitive, and you can create great designs. she totally deserves it
@danielmatsunaga11111 2 years ago

I really had a crush to her. She's voice radiates good energy to me. I admire her a lot.
@WishpondCA 2 years ago

Melanie had a great vision and amazing drive!
@coppersulphate002 14 days ago

As much as I appreciate CANVA I will always support regular graphic artists!
@catesmith1055 3 years ago

What an inspiration, I love what Canva offers both designers and those who like to great images
@bccoleman8678 3 years ago

Really great interview. Keep going.
@bardwheelo 4 years ago

We used Canva for all our thumbnails. Thanks, Melanie.
@khalidelgazzar 2 years ago

Looks like a great episode. Seen few minutes and looks awesome 😎
@artsfromcrafts7817 3 years ago

it's a multiple triple "G" that Melanie got #Goodknowledge #Gr8thingsssssss #Godblessssssss with this... she humbly sharessssss her knowledge & blessings to people around the gl🌎be "LONG LIVED" po :) Ms. Melanie withyourloveonefamilies& friendsssssssssssssss
@michaelparis5229 4 years ago

Great show. Never under-estimate anyone especially humble young Aussie female founders. Just signed up for Equity Zen as well. Aussie....Aussie....Aussie....Oi....Oi....Oi
@saraeissa4954 1 year ago

She’s such an inspiration and I love Canva
@joshuamelo 4 years ago

Young, smart, disciplined, gorgeous and rich, what a deadly combination. And Melanie is not bad either (😜)
@bennylatlhang 1 month ago

This interview was/is top notch!🔥🙏❤️
@irinaamarandei4208 3 years ago

So much talent and money and no gucci belt in sight. Interesting
@HalloCasa 4 years ago

canva, great product, great founder!!
@wd1534 1 year ago

She has enough energy, enthusiasm and solarity to turn a entire city light on!
@DurgeshKaushikVlogs 3 years ago

A beautiful product!