Canva to cut or relocate 22% of global workforce

Canva plans to cut or relocate 1,271 employees, about 22% of its global workforce, in a major restructure. The Australian-founded design company says it will reduce management layers and bring more teams together in centralised, in-person hubs. The changes will affect staff who helped build the platform, but Canva has not disclosed how many people will lose their jobs rather than be asked to move. Chief executive Melanie Perkins called the decision the most difficult in the company’s 13-year history and acknowledged the disruption for those asked to relocate.

Employees leaving Canva will receive at least six months’ salary and, in countries where the benefit is offered, an additional 12 months of healthcare coverage. They may keep their laptops and apply for US$10,000 grants to launch businesses. The restructure comes amid widespread technology-sector job cuts, as software companies adapt to competition from cheaper AI tools while also incorporating AI into their products. Canva did not cite AI as a reason for its changes, unlike some industry peers. The cuts add to recent reductions at companies including Atlassian, Block and WiseTech Global, and mark a significant shift for a prominent Australian startup long seen as a potential candidate for a major Nasdaq listing.