Mattel, Quirky Partner Up to Crowdsource New Toys for Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price Users can now submit ideas for toys, games, baby gear and preschool products that will carry the toy giant's iconic monikers.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In a move that Mattel says will usher in a new era, the toy giant has inked a partnership with New York-based invention hub Quirky, an online platform that brings user-submitted product concepts swiftly to market.

Now, Quirky's online creator community will be able to submit ideas for toys, games, baby gear and preschool products for iconic Mattel brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl and more.

The products, which the companies say will aim to "reimagine how children play, learn and grow," are slated to launch this holiday season.

"This partnership combines Mattel's scale and 70 years of toy-making history with Quirky's open and agile approach to product development," the companies said in a press release.

Related: Not Toying Around, Mattel Ousts CEO

The move comes at a pivotal time for Mattel, which reported a 2 percent worldwide sales drop last quarter as the company's just-minted CEO, Christopher Sinclair, promised that the company had begun to "refocus our culture on creativity, innovation and improving our speed to market."

Quirky already touts development partnerships with several other category leaders, including General Electric to foster innovation in the lighting industry, audio and infotainment leader Harman, and Poppy, a smart appliance maker.

Since its launch in 2009, Quirky has received roughly 15,000 toy-related idea submissions.

Once an idea is chosen, the company's in-house designers and engineers collaborate with a vibrant community of online inventors on all aspects of product development. With distribution deals at Home Depot, Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Amazon, Quirky shares profits with any community member who has made a mark on a product's creation.

Related: 'Competition Is the Greatest Thing That Can Happen in Business'

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

From Elite Athletes to Tech Titans — Discover the Surprising $100-Million Habit That Leads to Extraordinary Success

Success comes from mastering focus, eliminating distractions and prioritizing what truly matters.

Business News

'Nothing More Powerful': How to Transform Companies From Within as an 'Intrapreneur,' According to a Microsoft Office and Yahoo! Shopping Cofounder

Elizabeth Funk wrote the first code for Yahoo! Shopping on her own, based on skills she acquired from an "HTML for Dummies" book.