Few toy company founders begin their careers arguing cases in court, but Judd Zebersky is not a typical founder. He earned a JD from the University of Miami School of Law, opened his own firm, and then walked away to figure out how plastic is turned into the things children want most.
In 1997,Judd Zebersky flew to China and embedded himself in manufacturing. He spent months in factories, learning production processes he had no prior exposure to. Blow molding, injection molding, rotocasting, hair rooting he absorbed each technique by watching and asking. He later described the experience as traveling into remote parts of southern China on dirt roads, visiting facilities where daily life looked nothing like South Florida, where Jazwares would eventually be headquartered.
Licensing to Acquisition
Jazwares grew by attaching itself to entertainment properties audiences already loved. Deals with Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog put Jazwares products in retail locations across the country. Over time, the company shifted from licensing alone to acquiring complementary brands. Wicked Cool Toys came in 2019 and brought the Pokémon license. Kellytoy followed in 2020, bringing Squishmallows.
Squishmallows were not an obvious bet. Soft plush toys with quirky names and backstories seemed like a modest line. Then TikTok happened. Collectors and casual fans alike posted about their Squishmallows obsessively. Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian joined the conversation publicly. More than 100 million units sold in a single year at prices between $5 and $30.
Alleghany Capital Corporation invested in Jazwares in 2014 and took a majority stake in 2016. Berkshire Hathaway became the parent company through its acquisition of Alleghany in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Community at the Center
Judd Zebersky embedded philanthropy into Jazwares from day one. Jazwares Cares has partnered with Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House, children’s hospitals, and Title I schools over the decades, donating millions of toys. Zebersky and his family contributed $2 million personally to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Zebersky left Jazwares on March 20, 2026, after nearly three decades. David Neustein, COO for 14 years, became CEO on March 23. The company now serves consumers in over 100 countries. See related link for additional information.
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