MAKA
MAKA is a Chinese cloud-based online design platform offering 160,000+ templates across 15+ industries, serving 30M+ SMBs, enterprises, and individuals with marketing and commercial visual content creation via freemium subscription.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersGuangzhou, China
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What MAKA does
MAKA (码卡（广州）科技有限公司) is a privately held Chinese cloud-based online design platform founded in 2014 and headquartered in Guangzhou, with a research and development center in Beijing. The platform enables SMBs, enterprises, and individual users to create marketing and commercial visual content — including H5 pages, marketing posters, social media graphics, e-commerce materials, GIFs, and print designs — through a template-driven, drag-and-drop interface. At its core, MAKA distributes a content library of more than 160,000 templates spanning 15+ industry verticals (education, retail, F&B, healthcare, real estate, beauty, sports, entertainment, etc.) across web (maka.im), iOS, Android, Windows PC (client v2.2.3), and WeChat mini-program, with 30M+ registered users.
The technology stack combines a cloud-based editor with multi-format export (H5, flat posters, mobile posters, WeChat public account assets, video, GIF, print) and a 3-second AI-powered background-removal tool. MAKA does not expose a public or partner-facing API or SDK; access is entirely self-serve through its consumer-facing surfaces. The company monetizes via a freemium model with three primary streams: (1) Personal VIP subscription (monthly and annual) granting full template access, watermark removal, licensed fonts, unlimited storage, and design guidance; (2) Enterprise VIP subscription adding team management, brand templates, and collaboration tools; and (3) à-la-carte individual template purchases for non-subscribers, supplemented by an on-demand Custom Design professional service.
MAKA's go-to-market is product-led growth with no disclosed outside sales motion; acquisition is driven by app store listings, WeChat ecosystem presence (official account plus mini-program), template-based SEO across hundreds of occasion- and industry-specific landing pages, and a designer recruitment program that feeds third-party templates into the marketplace. The company has raised approximately $5.27M across three disclosed rounds (2014 seed, 2015 Series A led by Matrix Partners China, 2016 Series B from Yinbaodian Chuangtou and Yingtan Wosi Feiyang Touzi) with no subsequent funding events in the eight years since. Founder Ma Yanfei remains CEO.
MAKA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MAKA
- Legal name
- 码卡（广州）科技有限公司
- Website
- https://maka.im
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- MAKA is a Chinese cloud-based online design platform offering 160,000+ templates across 15+ industries, serving 30M+ SMBs, enterprises, and individuals with marketing and commercial visual content creation via freemium subscription.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MAKA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Design Platform
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (54143)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Asset Management (DAM) for Media/Creative (MPAHAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Metadata Management & Cataloging (Taxonomy, Semantic Search, AI Tagging) (MPAHAGAG), Content Retrieval, Distribution & Reuse Workflows (Interoperability/APIs) (MPAHAGAK)
Keywords
Where MAKA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guangzhou
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
MAKA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Premium Membership Subscription: Individual and enterprise membership providing access to all premium templates, watermark removal, licensed fonts, unlimited storage, and official design guidance
- Individual Template Purchase: Pay-per-template model for non-subscribers to access specific premium templates
- Enterprise Solutions: Customized enterprise membership with team management, brand guidelines, and bulk design capabilities
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Individual Membership (个人会员) |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual Membership (个人会员) |
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise Membership (企业会员) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
MAKA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MAKA operates a cloud-based online design platform providing template-driven creation tools for H5 pages, marketing posters, social media content, e-commerce materials, and print designs. The platform is accessible via web (www.maka.im), iOS and Android mobile apps, and a Windows PC client, and includes AI-powered one-click background removal along with multi-format export. It monetizes through freemium personal and enterprise VIP subscriptions, with over 160,000 templates serving 30M+ users across 15+ industries in China.
Product overview
MAKA is a comprehensive multi-scene commercial visual design platform operated by Makai (Guangzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. The platform consists of a web-based design tool (MAKA Online Design Platform), mobile applications for iOS and Android, and a Windows desktop client (v2.2.3). The core product offers over 160,000 templates across four main categories (H5, flat design, e-commerce, and social media) spanning 15+ industries. Key product modules include H5 creation (flip-style and long-scroll), marketing posters, social media content, e-commerce materials, office/print designs, and GIF creation. The platform operates on a freemium model with personal VIP and enterprise VIP subscription tiers. Additional services include a Design Academy for tutorials, custom design professional services, and a designer recruitment program for marketplace content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MAKA APP: Mobile application for design creation on iOS and Android devices
- MAKA Windows PC版
- MAKA个人会员
- MAKA企业会员
Products and services
- MAKA Online Design Platform (MAKA在线设计平台) A multi-scene commercial visual design platform providing H5 pages, poster design, video creation, print materials, and e-commerce design tools. Offers 160,000+ templates across 15+ industries with drag-and-drop editing capabilities, accessible via web browser for SMBs, enterprises, and individual users.
- MAKA APP (Mobile Application) iOS and Android mobile application enabling users to create designs on-the-go. Features include template browsing, editing, one-click background removal, and direct export for social media sharing.
- MAKA Windows PC Client Desktop client application for Windows (version 2.2.3) enabling design creation and editing on personal computers with full template library access.
- MAKA Personal VIP (MAKA个人会员) Paid membership offering unlimited access to all template categories, watermark removal, licensed fonts, official creation guidance, premium template recommendations, and unlimited storage, billed monthly or annually.
- MAKA Enterprise VIP (MAKA企业会员) Enterprise-level subscription with team collaboration features, brand management tools, advanced analytics, and dedicated support for business users, billed annually.
Quantifiable outcome
- Create professional designs in 3 minutes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MAKA
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MAKA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
MAKA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- 站酷 (Yestone)minorDesign resources and inspiration platform partnership
- 智业 (Zhiye)minorHR and recruitment industry collaboration partner
- 运营瞄 (YYMiao)minorOperations and marketing tools partnership
- 西瓜助手 (Xigua)minorWeChat official account management tools partnership
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MAKA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Figma: Cloud-based collaborative design platform with strong template/plugin ecosystem. Adjacent comparable in design-as-SaaS and PLG adoption, though Figma targets professional designers while MAKA targets non-designers.
- Adobe Express: Adobe's template-driven design product for SMBs and consumers. Overlaps with MAKA's template-and-quick-design value proposition but operates as part of Adobe's broader Creative Cloud portfolio.
- Meitu (美图): Established Chinese consumer photo/AI-editing and design platform. Comparable to MAKA's AI background-removal and consumer/SMB design tools but with a broader image-editing portfolio.
- PicMonkey: Online graphic design and image-editing platform targeting SMBs and marketers. Overlaps with MAKA's template-and-edit workflow for social and marketing visuals.
Direct peers
- Canva: Global leader in template-based, PLG design tools serving SMBs and consumers. Most directly comparable to MAKA in product (template-driven design), business model (freemium subscription), and target customer (non-designers needing marketing assets).
- Chuangkit (创客贴): Leading Chinese online design platform with a template library and freemium model. Direct Chinese-market competitor to MAKA with similar SMB/enterprise target customers and template-based H5/poster design.
- VistaCreate (formerly Crello): Template-driven online design tool for SMBs, similar to Canva and MAKA. Directly comparable product offering (poster, social, video templates) on a freemium subscription model.
- Yiqixiu (易企秀): Chinese H5 and marketing-design platform with templates for posters, H5 pages, and social media. Direct competitor in MAKA's core H5/marketing use cases for Chinese SMBs.
- Gaoding Design (稿定设计): Chinese online design and image-editing platform with template library, background removal, and team collaboration. Closely comparable to MAKA on product breadth and SMB/marketing focus.
Emerging players
- Piktochart: Template-driven infographic and visual design tool for SMBs/marketers. Comparable to MAKA's template-based marketing-asset workflow but focused more on infographics and reports.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MAKA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
MAKA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MAKA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MAKA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MAKA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MAKA
What does MAKA do?
MAKA operates a cloud-based online design platform providing template-driven creation tools for H5 pages, marketing posters, social media content, e-commerce materials, and print designs. The platform is accessible via web (www.maka.im), iOS and Android mobile apps, and a Windows PC client, and includes AI-powered one-click background removal along with multi-format export. It monetizes through freemium personal and enterprise VIP subscriptions, with over 160,000 templates serving 30M+ users across 15+ industries in China.
Is MAKA a public or private company?
MAKA is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was MAKA founded?
MAKA was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is MAKA based?
MAKA is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, in the Asia region.
How does MAKA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Premium Membership Subscription is the primary driver. The others are individual Template Purchase and enterprise Solutions.
Who are MAKA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Figma, Adobe Express, Meitu (美图) and PicMonkey. Direct peers are Canva, Chuangkit (创客贴), VistaCreate (formerly Crello), Yiqixiu (易企秀) and Gaoding Design (稿定设计). Piktochart is listed as an emerging player.
Does MAKA have an API?
No public API is recorded for MAKA.
What industry is MAKA in?
MAKA's product category is Online Design Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAGAB, Digital Asset Management (DAM) for Media/Creative, with a secondary code of MPAHAGAG, Metadata Management & Cataloging (Taxonomy, Semantic Search, AI Tagging). Its NAICS code is 54143 and its SIC code is 7330.