Hasbro and Girl Up Unveil 'Girl Innovators of Play' to Empower Young Women in STEM

Hasbro has introduced 'Hasbro Girl Innovators of Play' in collaboration with Girl Up, a United Nations Foundation initiative focusing on the development of girls' leadership. This announcement was made during the Girls Leading Change event and is scheduled to commence in early 2024. This initiative builds on the recent 'Hasbro Women Innovators of Play' challenge, which called for the creation of the next significant mass-market toy or game led by women.

'Girl Innovators of Play' will feature a STEM-based boot camp and an open invitation to young women aged 13 to 24 to submit a social impact project idea centered around a cause they are passionate about. Participants will have the opportunity to receive funding of up to $1,000 to transform their vision into a reality.

Kim Boyd, Head of Toys at Hasbro said, "Girl Innovators of Play is the next step in Hasbro’s commitment to collaborating with and celebrating innovative women and girls with groundbreaking ideas. This generation of girls has the power to tackle complex problems in their communities – and perhaps go on to create the next massively successful toy or game – and we are excited to help spark and support their creativity every step of the way."

Melissa Kilby, CEO of Girl Up stated, "Supporting girls in STEM isn't just about breaking barriers; it's about pioneering progress. Programs like Girl Innovators of Play will inspire generations of young innovators to build a brighter, more inclusive future, creating solutions that not only tackle our world's most pressing challenges but also shape a more equitable world for all."

1. A Girl Innovators of Play Bootcamp: This dynamic hands-on program for young women leaders worldwide will encourage the creation of human-centered, design-led solutions to issues in their respective communities. Participants will also learn from and engage with prominent women leaders at Hasbro and within the inventor community.

2. Opportunity to Apply for Seed Funding (up to $1,000): Following the boot camp, Girl Up participants can apply for seed funding through the Girl Up Project Awards program, supported by Hasbro.

3. Ongoing Support from Hasbro's Women's Leadership Network: This support will include contributions from employee volunteers and women executives, encompassing program design and implementation, speaking engagements, mentoring, and other activities aimed at bridging the gender gap in STEM.