Posted in: Collectibles, Games | Tagged: HRL, toys, toys r us

Isaac Larian Seeks $800 Million in Crowdfunding to Save Toys R Us

Last week, Toys R Us confirmed rumors that it would permanently shut down and close its stores. The company declared bankruptcy last year, and holiday sales failed to prevent the inevitable. But though Toys R Us may have been brought down by greedy venture capitalists who bought the company and loaded it with debt, one enterprising young billionaire is looking to crowdfunding to save it.

Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, the toy company that created Bratz dolls, has launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking to raise one billion dollars to purchase Toys R Us. Larian and "various investor associates" kicked off the campaign by pledging $200 million, leaving the remaining $800 million up to you.

Of course, as the campaign notes:

Be advised that this is not a donation to a charitable cause, and there is no tax deduction available. It is a donation to a potential commercial venture. The funds raised would be added to other capital being gathered by the potential purchasers of some or all of Toys"R"Us.  A donation to this campaign doesn't qualify you to claim equity in any potential acquisition; it simply means you want future generations to be Toys"R"Us kids.

However, the campaign does state that if Larian is unable to buy Toys R Us, the donations will be returned.

Therefore, before donating, please note that there is no guarantee that the offer to purchase Toys"R"Us described above will be made or accepted. You are donating "at your own risk." If your donation is not used to achieve the purchase of Toys"R"Us in some form, it will be returned to you.

Here's the rewards, with levels starting at $5 and going as high as $10,000,000:

$5-$49 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker

· $50-$99 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker AND #SaveToysRUs Special Edition Num NomsTM 1

· $100-$499 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, AND #SaveToysRUs Special Edition L.O.L. Surprise! TM 1

· $500-$999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, AND customized #SaveToysRUs Special Edition Little Tikes® Cozy Coupe®.1

· $1,000-$4,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt AND Little Tikes® Build-a-HouseTM. 1

·$5,000-$9,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, AND Little Tikes® Super Slam 'n DunkTM. 1

· $10,000-$24,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, invite to a local Toys"R"Us reopening block party AND a Little Tikes® backyard makeover. 1, 2

· $25,000-$49,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, invite to a local Toys"R"Us reopening block party AND a tour of the Ohio Little Tikes® factory – the oldest toy factory currently operating in the U.S. – including travel and accommodations. 1,2

· $50,000-$74,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, AND a personal block party for your friends and family including Little Tikes® products, food and all associated items. 1

· $75,000-$249,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, invite to a local Toys"R"Us reopening block party AND attendance at a special taping of "Unboxed!" series including travel and accommodations. 1, 2

· $250,000-$999,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, invite to a local Toys"R"Us reopening block party AND toys for 5 years from Toys"R"Us. 1, 2

· $1,000,000-$9,999,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, invite to a local Toys"R"Us reopening block party, AND a signed thank you letter from Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, and "I helped save Toys"R"Us" hero plaque at a Toys"R"Us location of your choosing. 1, 2

· $10,000,000+: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, "I'll ALWAYS be a Toys"R"Us Kid" t-shirt, invite to a local Toys"R"Us reopening block party, a signed thank you letter from Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, AND Kid CEO for the Day experience including a trip to a southern California theme park, travel and accommodations, and Toys"R"Us store dedication naming rights for location of your choosing and toys for life from Toys"R"Us. 1, 2

Of course, one problem here is that GoFundMe's highest accepted donation is $50,000, but luckily, the campaign will take larger donations via wire transfer.

So far, the campaign has raised $5,000 in addition to the $200 million seed.

Go here to pledge.

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