Canva Acquires Simtheory and Ortto for AI Expansion

In a significant move to accelerate its artificial intelligence ambitions, design software giant Canva has announced the acquisition of two Australian technology firms: Simtheory and Ortto. This strategic expansion underscores Canva's commitment to integrating advanced AI into its comprehensive work platform, moving beyond its core design functionalities.

The acquisition of Simtheory, an AI collaboration and agent management platform, and Ortto, a customer data and marketing automation specialist, marks Canva's fifth and sixth acquisitions in 2026 alone. This aggressive M&A strategy, driven by co-founder and Chief Operations Officer Cliff Obrecht, signals a clear intent to build rather than buy capabilities, particularly in the rapidly evolving AI sector. The financial terms for these latest deals were not disclosed, but given the scale of previous transactions and the companies' traction, substantial investment is implied.

Ortto, formerly known as Autopilot, has a notable history in the marketing technology space. Founded in 2012, the company successfully raised approximately $46 million across multiple funding rounds from prominent venture capital firms including Blackbird, Rembrandt Venture Partners, Salesforce Ventures, and Southern Cross Venture Partners. Its rebranding to Ortto in 2022 reflected its expanded focus on customer data and engagement. The integration of Ortto's robust data infrastructure and automation tools is expected to significantly enhance Canva's ability to manage the entire marketing and content lifecycle.

Simtheory, a more recent entrant, emerged from a podcast concept three years ago to become a secure workspace for teams leveraging AI. The company had recently secured a $5 million Seed round. Its expertise in agentic AI and collaborative AI environments will be crucial for evolving Canva into a more comprehensive end-to-end work system. Both Simtheory and Ortto were founded by siblings Chris and Mike Sharkey, who will be joining Canva in leadership roles within the AI and marketing technology divisions, bringing their entrepreneurial vision and technical acumen to the design behemoth.

Canva's aggressive acquisition trajectory includes notable past deals such as the acquisitions of Mango.AI, Cavalry, Affinity, Leonardo.AI, and MagicBrief. This continuous integration of specialized technology firms reflects a broader market trend where established platforms are rapidly acquiring AI capabilities to maintain competitive advantage and expand their service offerings. With annualised revenue exceeding $4 billion and a recent valuation of $65 billion, Canva is strategically positioning itself for a potential US IPO later this year by solidifying its technological foundation.

The combined strengths of Simtheory and Ortto are anticipated to play a pivotal role in upcoming product developments, particularly highlighted by Obrecht's description of Canva Create as the company's "biggest transformation." This move signals Canva's evolution from a design tool to a central hub for all forms of digital work, powered by sophisticated AI and data-driven marketing solutions. The integration is expected to empower users with more intelligent tools for campaign creation, customer engagement, and overall productivity.