Hasbro's Women Innovators of Play Opens Fourth Annual Design Challenge and Expands Program with New In-Person Event Series
Key Highlights
- ➤Hasbro opens 2026 Women Innovators of Play submissions October 15-November 20
- ➤Each Design Challenge winner receives a $10,000 prize and Hasbro mentorship
- ➤Hasbro expands Women Innovators of Play with year-round in-person networking events
- ➤Hasbro has awarded $90,000 in prize money since the program launched in 2023
- ➤WiT Seattle event became the organization's largest event in history
Expert Statements
Kim Boyd, President, Global Licensing & Entertainment at Hasbro
“Play has always been shaped by women – as inventors, designers, storytellers, and players – and Women Innovators of Play exists to celebrate that talent and help more brilliant women find a way into this industry.”
Kim Boyd, President, Global Licensing & Entertainment at Hasbro
“Our Design Challenge is the clearest expression of that commitment. Four years in, it has put real prize money, mentorship, and industry exposure behind women with great ideas and the ambition to bring them to life. Pairing our Design Challenge with in-person events throughout the year means we're not opening a door once a year, we're building lasting pathways into the toy, game, and entertainment industries.”
Angelina Castro, Executive Director of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment
“Our partnership with Hasbro's Women Innovators of Play is a natural extension of WiT's mission to advance women through leadership, networking and education.”
Angelina Castro, Executive Director of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment
“Seeing the largest crowd in WiT Seattle's history come together in July, and reconnecting with our global community in London, shows how much women in this industry value real, in-person connection. We're proud to welcome each Design Challenge winner into the WiT community and look forward to supporting their growth long after the Challenge ends.”
PAWTUCKET, R.I., Oct. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hasbro today announced that the Women Innovators of Play (WIOP) Design Challenge returns for a fourth consecutive year, opening to submissions on October 15 and closing November 20.
Alongside the Challenge, Hasbro is expanding the WIOP program into a series of in-person networking events held throughout the year to bring together women across the gaming, toy, licensing, entertainment, and play industries.
Get started
Create a free account to read the full story.