Melanie Perkins
Co-founder & CEO, Canva
Melanie Perkins is an Australian technology entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder and chief executive officer of Canva, the online graphic-design platform. She previously co-founded the online yearbook business Fusion Books in 2007, which served as a proof of concept for Canva. She is one of the world's most prominent self-made female tech founders.
Fast facts
| Role | Co-founder & CEO |
|---|---|
| Company | Canva |
| Sector | Design software / SaaS |
| Headquarters | NSW |
| In role since | 2013 |
| Education | University of Western Australia (studied communications, psychology and commerce; left before completing her degree to pursue entrepreneurship) |
| Other roles | Signatory of The Giving Pledge (with Cliff Obrecht) |
Background
Co-founded Fusion Books (online yearbook editor) in 2007 with Cliff Obrecht; co-founded Canva in 2013; grew it to a US$42B (2025) design platform; one of the world's few self-made female tech billionaires
Career timeline
- 2007Co-founded Fusion Books, an online yearbook design tool, with Cliff Obrecht in Perth
- 2012Recruited former Google designer Cameron Adams as Canva's third co-founder
- 2013Launched Canva publicly as CEO
- 2021Signed the Giving Pledge with Cliff Obrecht, committing to give away the majority of their wealth
- 2025Canva valued by private investors at around US$42 billion
Notable
- Grew up in Perth, Western Australia; started her first venture selling handmade scarves as a teenager
- Co-founded Fusion Books, which became one of the largest yearbook companies in Australia and New Zealand
- Reportedly faced around 100 venture-capital rejections before securing early funding for Canva
- Named to the Forbes list of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women in 2023
- Married Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht in January 2021 on Rottnest Island
Frequently asked questions
What is Melanie Perkins known for?
She is the co-founder and CEO of Canva, an online graphic-design platform valued at around US$42 billion, and earlier co-founded the yearbook company Fusion Books.
Did Melanie Perkins finish university?
She studied at the University of Western Australia but left before completing her degree to focus on building her design businesses.
Who did Melanie Perkins co-found Canva with?
She co-founded Canva with Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams.
Public profiles
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanie_Perkins
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canva
- https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/09/canva-how-melanie-perkins-built-a-3point2-billion-dollar-design-start-up.html
- https://www.forbes.com/profile/cliff-obrecht/
- https://www.canva.com/newsroom/
Last verified 2026-07-13. Professionally-public, sourced information only.