Nigerian-American Harvard graduate raises $7 Million to develop World’s first braiding robot
Nigerian-American biomechanical engineer and Harvard graduate, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has raised $7 million in seed funding to commercialise HaloBraid, a patented braid-assist robot designed to transform the professional hair-braiding industry by helping stylists complete appointments in nearly half the usual time while reducing the physical strain associated with repetitive work.
The investment round was led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, with additional backing from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital. The funding is expected to accelerate the production and commercial rollout of the technology, which has already attracted strong interest from beauty professionals across the United States and beyond.
Innovation attracts widespread interest
According to the company, more than 7,000 professional salons have already joined the commercial waiting list for HaloBraid, highlighting the growing demand for technology that can improve efficiency without replacing skilled hairstylists. The startup believes the robot could significantly increase productivity in salons while helping professionals avoid the long-term health challenges associated with repetitive braiding.
Hair braiding is a labour-intensive process that often requires stylists to spend several hours standing while making thousands of repetitive hand and wrist movements. Over time, many professionals experience wrist pain, shoulder injuries, neck strain and other musculoskeletal conditions that can shorten their careers.
Idea inspired by personal experience
Ogunbiyi, who earned a joint Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Engineering School and Harvard Business School, said the inspiration for HaloBraid came during the COVID-19 pandemic after she spent four days installing her own knotless braids.
The experience exposed the physical demands and time-consuming nature of the braiding process, prompting her to explore how robotics could assist professionals without taking away the creativity and personal interaction that define the beauty industry.
She later partnered with co-founder David Afolabi to develop HaloBraid, combining engineering expertise with an understanding of the unique needs of professional braiders.
Designed to support, not replace professionals
The company described HaloBraid as a collaborative robot designed to work alongside hairstylists rather than replace them. The robot automates the repetitive mid-shaft braiding process, which typically consumes the largest portion of a braiding appointment.
Professional stylists remain responsible for sectioning the hair, creating the foundation braid and completing the final styling, allowing them to maintain creative control while reducing the physical workload.
Ogunbiyi stressed that the technology is intended to enhance the salon experience rather than diminish it.
“I don’t think anything will get lost from the experience. If anything, it enriches it. Technology simply assists with the repetitive movements that consume the most time and place the greatest strain on the body,” she said.
Potential impact on the beauty industry
The company believes HaloBraid could reshape the beauty industry by enabling salon owners to serve more clients each day without compromising service quality. By reducing appointment times, salons may be able to increase revenue while improving customer satisfaction through shorter waiting periods.
Beyond productivity, the innovation is also expected to help extend the careers of professional hairstylists by reducing the repetitive physical stress that often leads to chronic injuries. As the company prepares for commercial deployment, HaloBraid is being positioned as a groundbreaking example of how robotics and artificial intelligence can support skilled workers, creating new opportunities for innovation in the global beauty industry while preserving the craftsmanship that remains at the heart of professional hair braiding.