Masters of Scale Canva’s $35B design biz is quietly taking over the workplace, with co-founder & COO Cliff Obrecht
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Jul 1, 2025 
Cliff Obrecht, co-founder and COO of Canva, shares insights on leading the $35 billion design powerhouse alongside his wife, Melanie Perkins. They discuss how Canva balances user-friendly design with AI advancements while staying true to their values. Obrecht highlights their philanthropic efforts, including a $100 million donation to causes in Malawi. He also explores the challenges of ownership rights in the AI era and emphasizes the importance of work-life balance in their unique partnership, offering a glimpse into the future of technology and creativity.
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Designers' Initial Resistance to Canva
- Canva was initially met with resistance from professional designers who felt threatened by democratizing design.
- Within four years, designers embraced Canva as a tool to focus on high-value creative work.
AI Elevates Creative Baseline
- AI will flood the market with content, raising the creative baseline for everyone.
- Exceptional creatives will distinguish themselves and be celebrated more than ever.
Unlock Creativity With Right Tools
- Everyone is creative if given the right tools that fit their style.
- Make creative tools simple and fun to unlock people's creative potential.
