Canva, the Australian tech giant valued at over $60 billion, has acquired two local artificial intelligence companies as part of its strategy to expand beyond its origins as a simple design platform.
The Sydney-based company, founded by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams, has purchased AI tool Simtheory and marketing automation firm Ortto for undisclosed amounts.
This move marks Canva’s eighth AI-related acquisition since 2024, bringing its total investment in the sector to approximately $400 million as it continues to strengthen its capabilities in artificial intelligence.
Both companies were founded by Sydney brothers Chris Sharkey and Mike Sharkey, who will now join Canva’s growing global team. Chris Sharkey is also known as the co-founder of the booking platform Stayz.
According to Canva’s chief operating officer Cliff Obrecht, the acquisition is part of the company’s plan to evolve from a design tool into a comprehensive “end-to-end” platform where users can ideate, create, publish, and analyse content in one place.
The company aims to integrate these tools so that users can complete entire workflows without leaving the platform. Ortto’s team of 40 employees will join Canva’s workforce of around 5,500 people and will continue serving over 11,000 customers across 190 countries.
Simtheory is expected to enhance Canva’s AI capabilities, supporting its vision of becoming a platform where artificial intelligence acts as a key partner in transforming ideas into finished outputs.
Canva is also expected to make further announcements about its AI strategy at its upcoming “Canva Create” conference, which has been described as a major milestone in the company’s evolution. Employees have hinted that the upcoming announcement will surpass the significance of this latest deal.
The company’s rapid growth continues after reaching its highest valuation of more than $60 billion, with reports suggesting plans for a potential initial public offering (IPO) by 2027. In recent years, Canva has also expanded through acquisitions such as outdoor advertising firm Doohley, as well as MagicBrief and MangoAI, strengthening its position in the global tech and advertising industry.
