Toy Designers and Inventors Invited to Pitch Products to Target at Toy Fair

January 9, 2018 | Target has launched a new Open Innovation Project that will create a path for cutting-edge toy inventors and designers to get in front of Target decision makers during the 115^th North American International Toy Fair. The program will allow a select number of creative professionals to present their ideas in face-to-face meetings with Target executives throughout the day on Saturday, February 17 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. 

Inventors and designers may apply by filling out the online invention submission form by Wednesday, January 17. Notifications for those who are selected to meet with Target will be sent by February 1.

Target’s program aims to tap into the significant number of talented inventors and designers attending Toy Fair who may lack the resources necessary to get their innovative ideas in front of buyers and decision makers. The retailer is specifically looking for new products that fall within the following categories: games, dolls, activity sets, pre-school toys, and imaginative play. 

Applicants will be asked to provide information including: the product’s target audience, the void that it fills in the toy and children’s products entertainment space, and how the product is differentiated from what is currently on the market. Additionally, inventors must answer whether they have done any market research, utility patent searches, engineering plans, cost analysis, and produced any prototypes, among other questions.

The Toy Association is not involved in the review and selection process and serves only in the capacity of sharing this opportunity with the toy and children’s entertainment community.