Copyright smh
Canva achieved a staggering $US65 billion ($98 billion) valuation in an employee share sale in August – up from $US42 billion this year – making it more valuable than corporate heavyweights such as Telstra, Woodside Energy and Woolworths. The company serves 260 million monthly active users globally and generates $US3.5 billion in annualised revenue, with 95 per cent of Fortune 500 companies using its platform. At the heart of the Creative Operating System sits the Canva Design Model, which the company describes as a breakthrough in applying AI specifically to design challenges. Unlike general-purpose AI models from OpenAI or Anthropic that can generate images but lack design-specific reasoning, Canva’s model is trained on design systems, layouts, brand guidelines and visual workflows. The move underscores Canva’s determination to compete on AI innovation rather than simply licensing technology from giants such as OpenAI and Google. Obrecht said the foundational model represented years of investment in AI research and design knowledge.
