Canva, an Australian startup with online design tools, said it has raised $60 million at a $6 billion valuation, and it's opening its first U.S. office here in Austin.
The company, founded in 2013, provides 60,000-plus free templates and has millions of images for use in creative design environments. Its graphic design platform and drag and drop templates are used by hundreds of thousands of organizations, and it counts Warner Music, American Airlines and Ingram Micro among them.
While we don't know many details about the new office space yet, Canva announced former WP Engine VP of Global Sales John Eitel would lead its Austin-based sales team as Canva's VP of sales. The company also said its Austin office will provide support for enterprise clients and nonprofits.
The company is currently hiring for six positions in Austin, including roles in business operations, sales and recruiting. It's also hiring for roles at its HQ in Sydney, as well as its offices in Beijing and Manila. Austin Inno reached out to Canva on Monday for more details, and we'll update when we learn more.
Canva has raised $345 million in funding from backers including Blackbird Ventures, Bond, Sequoia Capital and General Catalyst, and in 2019 it acquired Pexels and Pixabay. Its co-founder and COO Cliff Obrecht said that Canva is also looking for other potential acquisitions.
“We’re open to investment opportunities in the media and editing space as we continue on our mission to provide a comprehensive and valuable product," he said in a statement.
Canva slowed hiring at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic but avoided any layoffs. Now, it says more organizations need to collaborate online, and that's boosting the need for its platform.
For example, it recently partnered with FedEx Office to provide access to its templates and illustrations that can be used for business materials, including disposable menus, information graphics and other signage. It also recently partnered with Pinterest to help users will design tools.
Canva's investors see a lot of momentum.
"The recent changes in our world have pressured organizations to embrace new methods of work and collaboration," Mood Rowghani, a general partner at Bond, said in a news release. "As the lines between home and office have blurred, Canva's digital design platform is empowering a new wave of productivity and interaction for businesses, schools, and nonprofits across the globe."
