Jeremy Padawer

Toy business

Mattel (2001–2003)

In 2001, Mattel recruited Padawer out of Vanderbilt University's MBA program. Padawer managed Hot Wheels, Nickelodeon brands, and a relaunch of Masters of the Universe.

Jakks Pacific (2003–2013)

In 2003, Padawer moved to Jakks Pacific, where he headed up boys' entertainment brands (2003–2009) before becoming EVP / GM of Jakks Malibu, the largest business unit at Jakks Pacific (2010–2013). Padawer reinvented the WWE toy line and over the next 10 years launched 30+ brands into the mass marketplace, including Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z, Club Penguin, UFC, Neopets, SpongeBob SquarePants, Disney Princess, Winx Club, Nintendo, Disney Fairies, the Rocky franchise, Phineas and Ferb, and more.

Padawer was responsible for brand, marketing, product development, business development, and entertainment content development across all JAKKS Malibu business unit categories.

Wicked Cool Toys / Jazwares (2013–present)

In 2013, Padawer entered into a partnership in start-up Wicked Cool Toys as Co-CEO / President and Partner.

The early years of Wicked Cool Toys focused on A-Level licenses with B-Level categories offering retail incremental margin on top brands like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, WWE, as well as a master toy license for The Wiggles.

In the following years, WCT signed global deals with Wild Kratts (2014), Cabbage Patch Kids as master toy partner (2015), Girl Scouts Activity Oven (2015), and relaunched Teddy Ruxpin (2016).

In May 2017, the Pokémon Company International announced it had become a strategic investor in Wicked Cool Toys and granted Wicked Cool Toys the global Pokémon toy license outside of Asia.

In 2018–2019, WCT signed global licensing partnerships with Microsoft's HALO, All Elite Wrestling, Hasbro's Micro Machines and Cocomelon.

In October 2019, Jazwares, a subsidiary of Alleghany Capital Corporation (Y - NYSE), acquired Wicked Cool Toys.

In April 2020, Jazwares, with Padawer as equity partner, acquired KellyToy which includes the global phenomenon Squishmallows.

The combined company, Jazwares, develops, manufactures, and markets toys and collectibles globally for Squishmallows, Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Fortnite, Roblox, Cocomelon, AEW, HALO, Spiderman and Friends, Five Nights at Freddy's, Spiral Cute brands including Chiicawa, Mofusand and Koupen Chan, as well as Star Wars and Marvel Halloween costumes and dress up, and much more.

In October 2022, Jazwares / Alleghany Capital was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.

Padawer remained on as Chief Brand Officer, and then President, at Jazwares, a top 5 toy company.

Venture capital

Padawer is an early-stage venture investor, with investments in more than 25 companies in the seed and Series A stages, and has served as an advisor to several early-stage companies, including - WhatNot, Real American Freestyle, Nostalgix Private Brokerage, Treasure Trove, FLOAT Insurance, Audio Media Grading (AMG), Collector Archive Services Grading (CAS), Collectible Ethernity Labs Grading (CEL), Rare Candy, Negosh, BoxUnion, Zigazoo, ArtPics, Good Springs Capital, Moxxie Ventures. Most notably, Padawer participated in Whatnot's Series A financing at a valuation of approximately $90 million; the company was subsequently valued at approximately $20 billion in Series G funding round.