Canva founder rejected more than 100 times | Martin Roll posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

She could not raise funds for the first 3 years. Now, she has raised over $572 Million in funding and she is one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world. She democratized designing.Any guesses?Yes, you guessed it correctly. She is none other than Melanie Perkins, co-founder & CEO of Canva. Melanie started Canva in 2012 with her co-founders Cliff Obrecht, Cameron Adams. In the first year of its launch, Canva had over 750,000 users worldwide. For the first 3-4 years the company was at a loss. But in 2017, Canva achieved profitability with 294,000 paying customers.Melanie built her first ever website at the age 12 and showed her level. She was not happy with clunky design tools and that’s why she sketched Canva’s intuitive interface in 2007. Even when no investor was ready to invest in their startup, Melanie and Cliff hustled and focused on customers and revenue to survive.Initially, they faced a lot of technical problems and user experience issues. It led to pivot multiple times. But these failures did not stop them. Melanie used these stepping stones as opportunities to build a great product that customers actually needed.When Melanie started Canva, the market was very much cluttered with other tools for designing. Under Melanie’s leadership, Canva set strategic positioning, innovative features, and a commitment to user-friendly design. This helped Canva to become a user-loved platform. Melanie also focused on building meaningful partnerships with the companies such as Adobe and Dropbox to offer great integrations to users. With this, Canva could attract individuals, marketing agencies, founders, small businesses, and even large enterprises to get a collaborative design solution.Under Melanie’s leadership, Canva became a multi-billion dollar company. As the CEO of Canva, Melanie focused on building collaborative and inclusive culture. She also fosters a culture of innovation, creativity and continuous learning, inspiring her team to push boundaries and think beyond conventional limits. What to learn?- Focus on building what customers actually need- Build for masses- Don’t give up, it is just a phase of your startup. Every startup goes through this.- Don’t wait for VCs to fund, focus on customers, they become the best investors.If you like the content, follow Pradnyashil Gajbhiye.#canva #melanieperkins #founders #funding #startup

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Canva used this pitch deck to raise $6.6 million in equity funding.Founded by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, Canva has become a staple for many professionals. Melanie has detailed Canva's journey on her Medium blog, do give it a read, it's very inspiring. Canva has raised over $770 million across 14 funding rounds, with an estimated worth of $26 billion.Their pitch deck interestingly begins with the history of publishing since 1860, highlighting the shift from metal pages to computers and websites. Instead of a typical problem statement slide, they use a triangle to show how Adobe only caters to the pros, leaving a vast market untapped. Canva aims to bridge this gap by offering creative tools that don’t require a long learning curve.The solution slide, though busy, comprehensively covers all aspects of their approach. They also include a slide about their previous venture, "Fusion," showcasing their success metrics, which helps establish the founders’ credibility.Customer personas are used to elaborate on use cases, a common but effective strategy in pitch decks. The funding slide details how they plan to use the raised funds, which is crucial information for investors.Canva's pitch deck is a masterclass in storytelling and strategy, worth checking out for some solid inspiration!Join me as I share one pitch deck daily, decoding the secrets of successful startups that have raised millions. Follow, share, and suggest the next pitch deck we should explore together!#startups #fundraising

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🌟 Inspired by Melanie Perkins of Canva : Building on a Legacy 🌟The relentless pursuit of a vision defines Melanie Perkins, Canva's co-founder. Facing over 100 rejections before funding her design platform for everyone, Melanie's story is a constant source of inspiration 🚀. Canva's impact goes beyond beautiful graphics. It democratized design, empowering millions. This accessibility focus resonates with my own journey.Like Melanie, my global upbringing (US, UK, Asia) instilled a desire to bridge the economic divide through technology. Witnessing these disparities, I saw tech as a bridge to a brighter future, especially for underserved communities.👨👩👦 Family, mirroring Melanie's powerful partnership, has been my rock. My parents' unwavering belief, my husband's inspiring drive, and my son's reminder of a better tomorrow fuel my every step.The challenges faced by women in VC and founders, similar to Melanie's likely experience, ignited a fire in me. It led me to build Saha Fund, the first early investment vehicle for women-led ventures, to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs globally. Melanie's accomplishment in building Canva, the first Australian unicorn, is truly inspiring!This passion for inclusivity led to Arise Ventures and StrongHer, an agnostic fund championing diverse founders in tech globally. We share Melanie's vision - innovation flourishes everywhere. Arise Accelerator, the world's first and largest venture-backed pre-seed program, equips founders to scale globally.My journey, shaped by experiences and incredible people, fuels my fight for a more equitable landscape for entrepreneurs. Melanie Perkins' story is a testament to resilience, a reminder that impactful ideas can come from anywhere, and a powerful example of tech for good. Her dedication to empowering everyone through design is a constant source of inspiration, a legacy I'm proud to build upon. 🌍💡#TechForGood #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #DiversityInTech #WomenInTech #Empowerment #Inspiration #Canva #MelaniePerkins #SahaFund #AriseVentures #StrongHer

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From selling handmade scarves to building the world's most valuable female-founded startup.Despite facing hundreds of rejections, she persevered and built a $26 billion unicorn.Meet Melanie Perkins, the co-founder of Canva, who not only brought her vision to life of making design accessible to everyone but also created the sixth most valuable unicorn in the whole world.Her entrepreneurial journey began at just 14 when she sold handmade scarves.By holding the entrepreneurial spark within her, she started giving private tuition to graphic design students.While tutoring, Melanie realized that existing design tools were overly complex and inaccessible.It inspired her to create a simpler, more accessible design platform.At the age of 19, she dropped out of university to pursue her passion.But turning this dream into reality was no easy feat.Over three years, she faced more than 100 rejections from investors who didn’t see the potential in her vision.Yet, it didn't stop her and she co-founded𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬.Fusion Books provides online yearbook design and printing services.The company grew rapidly and became the most popular yearbook supplier in Australia within five years.However, Melanie's ambitions extended beyond yearbooks.In 2012, Perkins co-founded Canva with Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, to create a user-friendly design platform.Ultimately, Canva was launched in 2013 and soon became a sensation.Today, Canva is valued at an astounding $26 billion, empowering over 135 million users in 190 countries.In addition to her business success, Perkins is committed to making a positive impact.She has pledged to donate the majority of her wealth to charity and has launched the Canva Foundation to support various social causesMelanie is not just an entrepreneur; she is a beacon of hope for aspiring founders everywhere.Her life journey teaches us that with passion, persistence, and a commitment to making a difference, we can all carve our paths to success.Regardless of rejections, we should believe in our vision and strive to bring it to life.#canva#Inspiration#Entrepreneurship

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Startup Advice #02: Turning Bold Vision into RealityCanva's Story: Relentless Execution After Raising Funds"When you have raised funds successfully, that is not an accomplishment - it is an obligation." Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, the co-founders of Canva, understood this principle well as they set out to turn their bold vision into reality. Canva, a graphic design platform, has gone on to "change the world" and "create shareholder value" through its "relentless execution." After securing their initial funding, Perkins and Obrecht remained laser-focused on the task, knowing that "raising capital means you've convinced others to believe in your dream" - and they couldn't afford to disappoint them. By staying "focused, resourceful, and making every dollar count," Canva has grown into a design powerhouse, disrupting the industry and empowering millions of users worldwide to create stunning visuals. Canva's journey is a testament to the founders' commitment to "get to work building something remarkable that makes a real impact."Turn Your Bold Vision into RealityCanva's story is a powerful example of how startups should approach the post-fundraising phase. Rather than resting on their laurels, founders must understand that "your journey is just beginning. Make it count. "Now, you need to create shareholder value by changing the world as you claimed you would." Perkins and Obrecht have done exactly that, turning their "bold vision into reality through relentless execution." This is the true measure of success in the startup world - not just raising funds but building something remarkable that changes the world. Don't Let Investors DownRemember, "raising capital means you've convinced others to believe in your dream." Canva's founders have consistently delivered on that promise, building a company that has truly "changed the world" and created immense value for its shareholders. This obligation comes with successful fundraising - and startups must be prepared to rise to the occasion.#StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #Fundraising #Leadership

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FREE GIFT - COMMENT "CANVA""Women can't build startups." Let's throw that notion right into the trash. If you're ready to embark on the journey of building a billion-dollar empire, this video is your playbook. Plus, stick around until the end for a free gift.Ever heard of Canva? It's not just a design tool—it's a $26 billion powerhouse disrupting the industry. Melanie Perkins, the mastermind behind it, faced over 100 rejections from investors before securing her first round. Fast forward to today: Canva has raised over $500 million from 48 investors and boasts a valuation of $3 billion. And here's the kicker: Melanie's co-founder and supportive partner in this venture is none other than her husband, Cliff Obrecht.So, how did Canva become the epitome of success? By creating the world's most user-friendly design software. But their market penetration strategy? That's where things get really interesting. Canva adopted a freemium model and unleashed a tidal wave of marketing tactics—from social media blitzes to influencer endorsem*nts—resulting in exponential growth fueled by word-of-mouth referrals.The lesson here is crystal clear: Identify a pressing problem, transform it into a product, and watch your startup soar.Ready to dive deeper into Canva's business model?#FemaleFounders #StartupSuccess #EntrepreneurCouple #Canva #Innovation #VentureCapital #BusinessStrategy #FreemiumModel #WordOfMouthMarketing #EntrepreneurshipJourney

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Life Lessons: Melanie Perkins -> The Resilient Visionary Behind Canva.Melanie Perkins (born May 1, 1987) is an Australian tech entrepreneur who has defied the odds to build one of the world's most valuable startups (one that I am using right now to make these posts possible!). As the co-founder and CEO of Canva, she has revolutionized the design industry and inspired countless others with her remarkable journey.Perkins' entrepreneurial journey began at a young age. As a teenager, she started her first business selling handmade scarves, honing her skills and drive. After studying communications and commerce in college, she recognized a problem - existing design software was overly complex and inaccessible for many users.Perkins' key life lesson is to "solve customer problems and make sure the customer is representative of a large market." She envisioned a future where design would be simple, collaborative and online. This vision became the foundation for Canva, which she co-founded in 2013 with her partner Cliff Obrecht.However, Perkins' path to success was paved with immense challenges. She faced over 100 rejections from investors before finally securing funding. Her persistence and determination in the face of adversity is a testament to her resilience. As she says, "If you are determined and want it, you can just go for it."Another crucial lesson from Perkins is the power of leveraging your network and connections. She was able to connect with influential figures like venture capitalist Bill Tai, who became a mentor and opened doors for Canva. Building the right partnerships was instrumental to the company's growth.Under Perkins' leadership, Canva has grown into a global design powerhouse valued at over $40 billion as of 2021. She has become one of the youngest self-made tech billionaires, with a net worth estimated at $6.5 billion. Yet, Perkins remains grounded, preferring to focus on what she can control rather than external factors.Melanie Perkins' journey is a testament to the transformative power of identifying and solving real customer problems, coupled with unwavering determination, resilience and the ability to build the right connections. Her life lessons continue to inspire entrepreneurs around the world.#LifeLessons #Quotes #Biographies #ImportantPeople

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How Canva became one of the most successful start-up unicorns in history 🚀Today, Canva has 100 million+ users, but back in 2010, Melanie Perkins began in a small way:At 19, in Perth, Australia, she started in her mom's lounge. Without money for an office, her mom’s place became her startup spot.Melanie saw a common problem: making designs was way too tough for many.She started small, using her mom's lounge. With her boyfriend, they made it easier for schools to create yearbooks.But money was tough. Melanie faced over 100 rejections from investors between 2010 and 2013.Yet, in 2013, she got $3 million, kicking off Canva's big journey.With clever moves like:↳made designing simple for everyone.↳Perfect timing with the rise of Instagram↳bought stock photo sites.↳came up with great marketing plans.Today, Canva is in 190 countries, helping with over 2 billion designs. Melanie's dream turned Canva into a $25 billion company 🏆Her story is clear: never give up. It's a lesson for dreamers, showing that tackling real problems can turn big dreams into reality.𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝟯 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁-𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 :1. Find a way to gain clarity.“For me, it’s writing morning pages. They’re my secret weapon, and they help me process information.”2. Accept that you won’t know all the answers.“You’re going to have to ask a lot of people for their advice and help, but then you’re going to have to distil it down to what makes sense for you.”3. Imagine the future.“It’s important to figure out what that first tiny step is that will take you in the right direction. For me, it’s always a kind of more optimistic, more egalitarian world.”↳This is the first story in our 'Success Spotlight' series. Follow Kanishk Rathore for more success stories.#success #entrepreneurship #startup #business #socialmediamarketing

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Excited to kick off a new series called 'Success Spotlight: 10 Inspiring Stories Monthly'! Today, I'm thrilled to share the incredible journey of Melanie Perkins, whose perseverance and dedication led to remarkable achievements. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in this series, highlighting diverse paths to success.#success #entrepreneurship #startup #inspiring

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𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 $𝟐𝟔 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐯𝐚'𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭In the challenging world of startups, rejection is often seen as a roadblock.But for Melanie Perkins, co-founder of Canva, it became the foundation of an incredible success story.Imagine hearing "no" not once, not ten times, but a staggering 100 times from venture capitalists.That's exactly what Perkins experienced when pitching her idea for Canva, a user-friendly graphic design platform. Most people would have given up, but Perkins' determination proved unshakeable.Founded in Perth, Australia in 2013, Canva started with a simple vision: to make design accessible to everyone. Despite the initial setbacks, Perkins and her co-founders, Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, persevered. Their tenacity paid off spectacularly.Today, Canva stands as one of the most valuable tech companies in the world. With over 100 million monthly active users and a valuation of $26 billion as of 2024, Canva has revolutionized the graphic design industry.The company has expanded its services to include presentations, video editing, and even AI-powered tools.Perkins' journey from rejection to success offers invaluable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:💪Believe in your vision, even when others don't.💪Use rejection as motivation to improve and persevere.💪Stay focused on solving real problems for your users.💪Be willing to adapt and expand your initial idea.Remember, every "no" you hear is one step closer to your "yes."Canva's story proves that with passion, persistence, and the right idea, you can turn countless rejections into billion-dollar success.So, to all the startups facing challenges: keep pushing forward.Your 100th "no" might just be the prelude to your biggest "yes."#leadership #entrepreneur #business

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