Nigerian American biomechanical engineer and Harvard graduate, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has secured $7 million in seed funding to commercialise HaloBraid, a patented robot designed to help professional hairstylists reduce braiding time and physical strain. The funding round was led by venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, founded by Reddit co founder Alexis Ohanian, with support from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital.
HaloBraid enters the market with more than 7,000 professional salons already on its waiting list. Developed by Ogunbiyi and co founder David Afolabi, the technology assists stylists by performing the repetitive mid length braiding process, allowing professionals to focus on the creative and technical aspects of hairstyling while cutting appointment times by about half.
Ogunbiyi said the innovation is intended to support rather than replace hairstylists, adding that the robot helps reduce the repetitive movements responsible for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and chronic back pain among professional braiders. The technology is expected to improve productivity while extending the careers of salon professionals.
The latest investment will support HaloBraid’s commercial expansion as it prepares for a global rollout. The company believes the innovation will meet growing consumer demand for faster protective hairstyle appointments while improving efficiency and workplace wellbeing in the beauty industry.