Melanie Perkins is an experienced Australian technology entrepreneur who rose to prominence as the CEO and co-founder of Canva, one of the world’s largest graphic design software platforms. She was born on May 13, 1987. She is widely regarded as one of the youngest female executives in charge of a tech start-up worth more than A$1 billion.
Melanie Perkins Biography
Perkins was born in Perth, Western Australia, to an Australian teacher as a mother and a Malaysian engineer of Filipino and Sri Lankan origin as a father. She attended Sacred Heart College in Sorrento, where she discovered her entrepreneurial spirit by starting her first business at the age of 14 and selling handmade scarves at local shops and fairs.
Despite her ambitions to become a professional figure skater, she would get up at 4:30 a.m. every day to train.
Perkins and her partner, Cliff Obrecht, faced significant challenges before co-founding Canva, including rejection from over 100 investors in their hometown of Perth. Their fortunes altered in 2011, however, when they offered their Canva idea to notable investor Bill Tai over dinner.
Despite not receiving finance, they became regulars at Tai’s investor and startup founder parties, where they ultimately met Lars Rasmussen, co-creator of Google Maps, who exhibited an interest in their concept. Rasmussen encouraged them to first gather a competent tech team, which they accomplished before launching Canva and becoming a global success story.
Melanie Perkins Age
Melanie Perkins is 35 years (born on May 13, 1987)
Melanie Perkins Height
Melanie Perkins is 5 feet 5 inches tall
Melanie Perkins Family
Obrecht proposed to Perkins in 2019 when they were on vacation in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, which welcomes backpackers. The wedding band cost $30. The duo has criticized consumerism, with Obrecht questioning the purpose of stockpiling possessions. They’ve stated a desire to give the majority of their wealth to charity.
On Rottnest Island in January 2021, Perkins and Obrecht got married. They signed the Giving Pledge in November 2021, pledging to donate at least half of their wealth to charitable causes.
Melanie Perkins Foundation
Melanie Perkins is the co-founder and CEO of Canva, a design software company valued at $40 billion by private investors in September 2021.
Melanie Perkins Instagram
Melanie Perkins’ Instagram handle is @melaniecanva