TLDR:
- Canva acquires design software provider Affinity after a quick deal that started with a direct message on LinkedIn.
- Canva’s acquisition of Affinity marks a move towards focusing on business users and empowering large organizations.
Canva, the Australian unicorn originally focused on yearbooks, has acquired design software provider Affinity and its parent company, Serif, in a swift deal that started with a direct message on LinkedIn from Canva cofounder Cameron Adams to Affinity’s MD and CEO, Ash Hewson. The acquisition, which Adams claims is the company’s fastest ever, is a step towards Canva’s evolution into empowering large organizations and teams, beyond its original focus on individuals, small businesses, and growing teams. Affinity’s software is well-regarded among design professionals, signaling Canva’s increasing focus on business users. This move is part of Canva’s strategy to expand its offerings through acquisitions, with previous acquisitions including Flourish, Kaleido, Smartmockups, Pexels, and Pixabay. Adams emphasizes that Canva is not an overly acquisition-hungry company, with most acquisitions being in Europe. The direct, transparent approach to M&A that Canva takes, inherited from cofounder Cliff Obrecht, played a significant role in sealing the deal with Affinity after just two days of discussions in Nottingham.
