Innovation rooted in a familiar beauty business has earned Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate Yinka Ogunbiyi global recognition for developing HaloBraid, designed to reduce the physical strain on hairstylists while significantly cutting the time required for braiding.
Ogunbiyi is receiving widespread commendation after developing HaloBraid, an invention designed to reduce the physical strain on hairstylists while significantly cutting the time required for braiding.
The US Mission in Nigeria, which commended Ogunbiyi on Friday, said the innovation has already raised $7 million in seed funding and attracted more than 7,000 professional salons to its waiting list.
Describing the invention, reportedly the world’s first braid-assist robot, as one with global impact, the mission highlighted HaloBraid’s growing commercial interest and its potential to transform professional hairstyling.
“Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard grad Yinka Ogunbiyi built HaloBraid, the world’s first braid-assist robot, easing strain on stylists and saving salons time.
“$7M raised, 7,000+ salons waitlisted. American innovation, global impact,” the US Mission wrote on X.
According to reports, HaloBraid secured funding through a seed round led by Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, with additional investments from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital.
The funding is expected to support the product’s market rollout.
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Ogunbiyi holds a joint Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Engineering School and Harvard Business School.
Before developing HaloBraid, she built a career designing smart home appliances.
The idea for HaloBraid reportedly emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic after Ogunbiyi spent four days installing her own protective knotless braids.
The experience inspired her to partner with co-founder David Afolabi to develop an automated solution for one of the most repetitive aspects of hairstyling.
HaloBraid is designed to assist—not replace—professional hairstylists.
The stylist begins by parting the scalp, sectioning the hair, and creating the initial anchor knot manually.
The machine then performs the repetitive braiding process before the stylist completes the hairstyle by finishing, trimming, and securing the ends according to the customer’s preference.
