• Canva introduces new developer tools, including an SDK and APIs, to leverage its user base and foster innovation.
• The company establishes a R940 million fund to support app developers at different growth stages, fueling their success within the Canva ecosystem.
• With the introduction of an app marketplace, Canva offers developers a growth channel to reach its 135 million users, opening doors for creative and interactive applications.

Canva, the immensely successful design platform, has announced a major expansion of its developer capabilities at the inaugural Canva Extend developer conference held yesterday. The event showcased a new Software Development Kit (SDK), enhanced APIs, an app marketplace, and a staggering R940 million fund to fuel innovation within the Canva ecosystem.

Since its launch in 2013, Canva has become a household name, attracting over 135 million users and raising an impressive R10.68 billion in funding. With such remarkable traction, Canva is now providing developers with the opportunity to tap into its user base and build upon the company’s existing work.

Cameron Adams, co-founder and chief product officer of Canva, emphasized the significance of the event, describing it as a pivotal moment in the company’s collaboration with developers. Adams praised the newly released SDK, stating it offers “one of the slickest experiences” he has encountered during his development career. The SDK empowers companies to create applications on top of the Canva platform, opening up a world of possibilities for developers.

Alongside the SDK, Canva unveiled a suite of powerful APIs that provide developers with extensive access to the platform’s functionality. Previously restricted, developers can now create applications that seamlessly interact with users’ designs, incorporating elements such as text, images, videos, and custom shapes and illustrations. The five APIs introduced are Asset, Data, Design, Fetch, and User, serving various purposes such as media uploading, data integration, design tool creation, HTTP requests, and user authentication.

One of the most exciting aspects of Canva’s developer expansion is the access it grants to its massive user base. With 135 million eager users waiting to explore new applications, developers have an unprecedented growth channel at their disposal. Adams highlighted the potential for developers to engage in data-rich experiences and become integral parts of the design ecosystem.

To support the development and distribution of apps built on the Canva platform, the company unveiled an app marketplace. This marketplace will serve as a hub for developers to showcase and distribute their creations, further expanding the Canva ecosystem and nurturing a thriving developer community.

Furthermore, Canva announced the establishment of a R940 million fund specifically designed to invest in app developers at various stages of growth. Whether in the early stages or experiencing rapid expansion, the fund aims to fuel their development and propel them toward success. Adams expressed Canva’s commitment to supporting developers, helping them realize their potential and scale their businesses.

Although Canva has been engaging with developers through a beta program over the past nine months, the tools and resources announced at the Canva Extend conference are now generally available. The company has already generated significant interest, with over 10,000 developers eagerly waiting to access the new capabilities.