Introducing Yinka Ogunbiyi, the Nigerian-American innovator who created the globe's inaugural automated braiding device

Nigerian-American biomechanical engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi, a Harvard graduate, has obtained $7 million in seed funding for HaloBraid, a patented robot that helps professional hairstylists reduce braiding time and physical strain, through a braid-assist mechanism.

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The funding round was led by Seven Seven Six, a venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, with additional participation from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital, further validating the startup's potential.

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With over 7,000 professional salons already on its waiting list, HaloBraid is poised to enter the market with significant demand for its technology, underscoring the strong interest in the product before its commercial launch.

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Ogunbiyi, who holds a joint MS/MBA from Harvard Engineering School and Harvard Business School, previously worked on smart kitchen appliances and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise to the haircare industry.

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The concept for HaloBraid emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Ogunbiyi spent four days installing her own knotless braids at home, inspiring her to develop a robotic solution for professional braiders, which she later pursued with co-founder David Afolabi.

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Designed to work alongside hairstylists as a collaborative robot, or “cobot,” HaloBraid performs the repetitive mid-length braiding movements, allowing stylists to focus on the creative and technical aspects of the service.

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The machine's process involves the stylist parting and sectioning the client's hair, creating the foundation of the braid, before HaloBraid takes over the repetitive weaving motion, reducing appointment times by approximately half.

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The stylist then completes the service by sealing, trimming, and styling the finished braids, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for both the hairstylist and the client.

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According to Ogunbiyi, the technology is intended to support professional braiders, rather than replace them, stating that "I don’t think anything will get lost from the experience, if anything, it enriches it," by assisting with repetitive movements that consume time and cause physical strain.

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Beyond reducing appointment times, HaloBraid also aims to address the occupational health challenges faced by professional braiders, including conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and chronic back pain, by automating the most physically demanding part of the braiding process.

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By doing so, the company hopes to help hairstylists extend their careers and increase the number of clients they can serve each day, while also catering to consumer demand for faster appointments, with 95% of Black women surveyed stating they would wear protective hairstyles more often if salon visits took less time.

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The latest funding is expected to support HaloBraid's commercial expansion, as the company prepares to introduce its technology to salons worldwide, marking a significant milestone in its growth and development.