Nigerian-American Harvard graduate develops world’s first braid-assist robot

Nigerian-American engineer raises $7m for world’s first braid-assist robot

Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate Yinka Ogunbiyi has secured $7 million in seed funding for HaloBraid, a patented robotic braiding assistant designed to reduce the physical strain on hairstylists while cutting down the time required for braiding appointments.

The achievement was highlighted by the US Mission in Nigeria in a post on X on Friday, describing HaloBraid as the world’s first braid-assist robot. The mission said the innovation has already attracted more than 7,000 salons to its waiting list.

“Nigerian-American engineer and Harvard graduate 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. #AmericanExcellence in action,” the mission wrote.

The funding 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 investment will support HaloBraid’s commercial launch.

Ogunbiyi holds a joint Master of Science and Master of Business Administration from Harvard Engineering School and Harvard Business School. Before founding HaloBraid, she worked on connected smart-home appliances and consumer electronics.

The idea for the company was born during the COVID-19 pandemic after Ogunbiyi spent four days installing her own knotless braids. Seeing an opportunity to simplify one of the most time-consuming aspects of protective hairstyling, she teamed up with co-founder David Afolabi to develop the technology.

Rather than replacing hairstylists, HaloBraid is designed to work alongside them. Stylists still part the hair, create the sections and make the initial anchor knot by hand. The robotic device then takes over the repetitive mid-shaft braiding process before the stylist completes the hairstyle by trimming and sealing the ends.

Responding to concerns that automation could diminish the cultural significance of traditional braiding, Ogunbiyi said the technology is meant to enhance—not replace—the salon experience.

“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.

The company says HaloBraid also addresses the long-term physical demands of professional braiding by reducing repetitive strain on the hands, wrists and back, helping stylists work more comfortably, serve more clients and extend their careers.

The launch comes as demand for protective hairstyles continues to grow. According to company findings, nearly 95% of surveyed Black women said they would choose protective styles more often if salon appointments were faster and less physically demanding.

With fresh funding secured and thousands of salons already waiting, HaloBraid is preparing to move from development into commercial rollout.