Nigerian-American biomechanical engineer and Harvard graduate Yinka Ogunbiyi has secured $7 million in seed funding to commercialise HaloBraid, a patented braid-assist robot designed to help professional hairstylists cut braiding time and reduce physical strain.
The funding round was led by venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, with participation from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital.
The startup is entering the market with more than 7,000 professional salons already on its waiting list, reflecting strong demand for the technology before its commercial rollout.
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 before turning her attention to the haircare industry.
The idea for HaloBraid was born during the COVID-19 pandemic after Ogunbiyi spent four days installing her own knotless braids at home. She later partnered with co-founder David Afolabi to develop a robotic solution for professional braiders.
