A Case Study of Canva as a Born Global Firm

Author's Information:

Zubaer Mahmud Apurba

Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology

Vol 03 No 08 (2026):Volume 03 Issue 08 August 2026

Page No.: 526-535

Abstract:

This article studies Canva as a Born Global firm, and finds the ways in which digital platform-based business model facilitating an expeditious and enduring internationalization from inception. Based on the Born Global perspective, this paper examine Canva’s early internationalization, global orientation, knowledge-based resources and innovation-oriented strategies. Drawing on secondary data from company reports and industry sources, the article examines Canva’s worldwide user expansion, localization strategy, digital marketing tactics, ecosystem models for platforms and revenue status to speculate its global prosperity. The results suggest that Canva offers a fit with the Born Global attributes. Something amazing about it is that the company was global from day one, it reached a global footprint through a SaaS based product on the cloud and they build internationalization into their platform from the very beginning. Localization, network effects, partnerships, and innovative technology have accelerated Canva’s growth. The growth in revenues also illustrates how the company has been able to translate widespread global acceptance into solid commercial performance. The study contributes to the Born Global literature by demonstrating how digital platforms and AI-mediated innovation are transforming internationalization in the digital economy. Canva's situation provides a learning opportunity to academics and practitioners who are looking to make sense of early international initiation strategies in technology-based enterprises.

KeyWords:

Born Global Firms, Digital Platform Internationalization, SaaS Business Model, Global Market Orientation, Innovation and Knowledge-Based Resources

References:

  1. Knight, G. A., & Cavusgil, S. T. (1996). The Born Global firm: A challenge to traditional internationalization theory. Advances in International Marketing. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301840778_The_born_global_rm_A_challenge_to_traditional_internationalization_theory
  2. Oviatt, B. M., & McDougall, P. P. (1994). Toward a theory of international new ventures. Journal of International Business Studies, 25(1), 45–64. https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/jintbs/v25y1994i1p45-64.html
  3. Malodia, S., Dhir, A., Alshibani, S.M. et al. Born global: antecedents and consequences of innovation capabilities. Asia Pac J Manag 42, 1025–1058 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09909-1
  4. Andersson, S., Eriksson, M., & Lundmark, L. (2006). Internationalisation in Malaysian furniture firms: gradual or rapid internationalisation? International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/c67b259ab133e91049c191ab36e050d1696a0ffe
  5. Madsen, T. K., & Servais, P. (1997). The internationalization of born globals: An evolutionary process?  International Business Review, 6(6), 561–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-5931(97)00032-2
  6. Knight, G. A., Khan, Z., & Nummela, N. (2025). Born globals, international new ventures, and international entrepreneurship: Reflections and a research agenda. International Business Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2025.102421
  7. Company profile of canva https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/canva-pty-ltd/
  8. Number Of Canva Users in Million https://famewall.io/statistics/canva-stats/
  9. Regional Distribution of Canva’s Supported Languages https://www.canva.dev/docs/extensions/reference/supported-languages/
  10. Canva AI Features and Their Contribution to Global Expansion https://www.canva.com/ai-assistant/
  11. Yetti, V., & Sari, S. (2023). Effectiveness of Using CANVA Application as a Learning Media for Creative Products and Entrepreneurshiphttps://eproceeding.bbg.ac.id/iconesth/article/view/94
  12. Kato, K., & Negoro, T. (2007). A theoretical review of network effects on platform products. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/8a4731e45ec4df02ab1815ef7197c8449a9f20fc
  13. Churiyah, M., Basuki, A., Filianti, F., & Sholikhan, S. (2022). Canva for education as a learning tool for center of excellence vocational school (SMK Pusat Keunggulan) program to prepare competitive graduates in the field …https://www.academia.edu/download/87868702/439.pdf
  14. Revenue Growth https://www.demandsage.com/canva-statistics/
  15. Wong, H., & Merrilees, B. (2007). Multiple roles for branding in international marketing. International Marketing Reviewhttps://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/4cea2cab97609e01ddafec253f9c8a332cc3636e
  16. NGBARABARA, P., & NDUKWU, V. (2025). Effect of Canva Artificial Intelligence Tools on Business and Computer Science Education Students’ Graphics and Design Achievement in Federal University Otuoke. https://journals.fuotuoke.edu.ng/index.php/tejedc/article/view/258
  17. Tahsin, M., & Azzahra, P. L. (2024). Penerapan Kecerdasan Buatan untuk Meningkatkan Pembelajaran Desain Logo dalam Industri Kreatif. Design Journalhttps://doi.org/10.58477/dj.v2i1.163
  18. Chen, W., Hua, Z., Zhang, Z., & Bi, W. (2018). Analysis of freemium business model considering network externalities and consumer uncertaintyhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11518-017-5342-8