The First Years® Launches Its Parentpreneur Grant Program To Help New & Expecting Parents Make Their Dream Jobs A Reality

OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixty percent of millennials consider themselves to be entrepreneurs, according to data cited by Entrepeneur.com. As millennials become new parents, many balance nurturing young children with the pursuit of their independent professional endeavors. Recognizing that running or starting a business with young ones in tow can throw a lot of unpredictability into life's journey, The First Years -- a leading juvenile product manufacturer -- is launching the Parentpreneur Grant Program to support parent entrepreneurs. This fall, eligible new and expectant parent entrepreneurs from around the country are invited to apply for a grant to help make their dream jobs a reality.

The grants may range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are designed to help parents fund their existing small business, or get their business concept up and running. Grants are available for a variety of industries including (but not limited to) technology, fashion, art, media, entertainment, travel, product development and services. Applications for The First Years Parentpreneur Grant Program will be accepted through October 31, 2015. Grant funding, totaling up to $50,000, will be announced in December 2015. For more information on grant criteria and eligibility, and to download an application, head over to thefirstyears.com/grants.

"The First Years recognizes that being a parent and developing your own business at the same time means you have to embrace the unpredictable moments and curve balls that come your way daily," says Lynne Mello, Vice President of Marketing Communications for The First Years. "We are excited to see how our grant funding will help today's entrepreneurial parents embrace their unique journey and help them get closer to their dreams."

The First Years Parentpreneur Grant Program is close to the brand's heart since The First Years was founded by parents more than 60 years ago. It all started in 1949 with a creative solution to solve a common diapering problem. Marshall Sidman was a father from Massachusetts who was looking for the next big thing to grow a business. He found it in an innovative diaper pin developed by a friend. With Sidman's "parentpreneurial" spirit, he approached local stores and The First Years journey began. Today, The First Years is a leading global juvenile products brand, recognized for its breadth of thoughtfully designed products that help parents through the many unexpected twists and turns on their own parenting journeys.

The First Years Parentpreneur Grant Program is designed to support the unique experiences of parents who (among other qualifications):

* Are the founder or legal owner of a business or new business concept
* Formed their business after Dec. 31, 2010 and currently have fewer than 20 employees
* Have child(ren) born after Dec. 31, 2010 and/or who are expecting a child to be born prior to Dec. 31, 2015

Please visit thefirstyears.com/grants for official rules, additional eligibility requirements and judging criteria.

About The First Years
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About TOMY International
TOMY International (www.tomy.com) is a leading global designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys sold to preschoolers, youths and adults under the TOMY®, Ertl® and Battroborg™ brands as well as products for parents, infants and toddlers marketed under its The First Years®, JJ Cole® Collections and Boon® brands. TOMY International also markets its products under popular licensed properties such as John Deere, Pokémon, Chuggington, Sonic the Hedgehog, Lamaze, Inside Out, Miles from Tomorrowland, The Good Dinosaur, Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Cars, Fairies and Toy Story, and other well-known properties. TOMY International's mission is to inspire and fulfill the dreams of children and parents worldwide. TOMY International reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. TOMY International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code No. 7867). © TOMY

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