Inventors Inspired by Everyday Parenting Needs are Recognized with the Huggies MomInspired Grant Program

DALLAS, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 70 years ago, female inventor and entrepreneur Marion O'Brien Donovan had an inspiring idea¹. As a mother of two who was unhappy with the options available to keep her babies dry, Donovan created the disposable diaper in 1946. Today, Huggies recognizes that many innovative ideas come from parents and their "a-ha!" moments—but all too often these ideas are not brought to life. Now in its fifth year, Huggies MomInspired Grant Program aims to further the development of these creative parent-inspired products and services.

To date Huggies has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to deserving entrepreneurs. The Huggies MomInspired Grant Program is accepting applications starting today at the Disney Social Media Moms "On the Road" conference, which celebrates creative ideas driven by parents and their real needs.

Huggies will award up to 8 parent entrepreneurs with $15,000 grants to help them grow their businesses. In addition to support from Kimberly-Clark, grant recipients will join a network of 40+ successful Huggies MomInspired entrepreneurs, presence at next year's All Baby & Child Kids Expo and receive business advice and mentorship from Maria Bailey, author, radio and TV personality and founder of BSMMedia.com.

"We are excited to kick off the Huggies MomInspired Grant Program and begin the search for our fifth class of grant recipients. We know from experience that innovative ideas and products come from real life experiences and we are proud to continue to support these parents," said Nick Weiland, Huggies brand manager. "We are looking forward to discovering unique and creative products and welcoming a new group of grant recipients to the Huggies MomInspired family."

Apply Now:

• Who: Anyone with an original, innovative and viable new product idea to help make life easier for parents; must be 21 or older and reside in the United States
• How: Log onto www.HuggiesMomInspired.com and submit application, including the idea and business plan
• When: June 17, 2014 through September 30, 2014
• Why: For the chance to receive $15,000 and advice to help start or grow your business idea

MomInspired Success Stories:
This year's grant recipients will join 42 others who have continued to develop their winning ideas and products, including:

• A 2013 Grant recipient, Greg O'Sullivan found he was able to solve an unmet need in safety for his 2 year old daughter with the invention of KidSwitch. With his product, small children can turn light switches on and off without the assistance of a parent, and without climbing on anything or risking injury. KidSwitch is now sold in Toys"R"Us, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and other major retailers across the country.
• Alicia Overby is a 2013 grant recipient for her Baby Elephant™ Ears, a solution for comfortable head and neck support for babies, which can help soothe colicky newborns. After incredible success in boutique shops nationwide, Alicia is expanding into a more globally available travel accessory line.
• Romy Taormina is a 2011 grant recipient for Psi Bands, award-winning acupressure wrist bands for the relief of nausea associated with morning sickness during pregnancy. They are now sold at more than 13,000 major retailers across the country and since receiving the grant have been featured on NBC's Shark Tank

For more information about past grant recipients and applications, visit www.HuggiesMomInspired.com. Grants will be awarded in January 2015.

Join the Conversation
To stay up to date on the latest Huggies brand and parenting news, follow @Huggies on Twitter and visit www.facebook.com/huggies or www.facebook.com/huggieslatino to become a fan and share tips and stories with other Huggies Moms.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No.1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company's 142-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

¹ National Museum of American History, http://amhistory.si.edu/archives/d8721.htm

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Contact: Katie Passo
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Contact: Eric Bruner
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SOURCE Huggies MomInspired Grant Program