HaloBraid secures $7 million to automate hair braiding process
Founded by Harvard engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi, the company is developing a device to assist professional stylists, with a launch scheduled for later this year.
HaloBraid, a robotics startup founded by Yinka Ogunbiyi, has raised $7 million in a seed funding round led by Seven Seven Six. The investment will support the development and manufacturing of an automated device designed to assist professional stylists in braiding hair, with the product scheduled to launch later this year.
The device operates by allowing a stylist to initiate the braiding process before handing it off to the machine, which completes the braid in seconds. Ogunbiyi, who holds an MS in engineering from Harvard and an MBA, developed the concept during the COVID-19 pandemic after spending four days attempting to braid her own hair. The technology, which utilises methods from material science and inkjet printing, is designed to be gentle on hair and capable of finishing both knotless and box braids.
Ogunbiyi cited research indicating that people spend an estimated 8 billion hours braiding hair annually. In a survey of 2,000 people, 95% of respondents stated they would get braids more frequently if the process were shorter. The startup also aims to address physical health issues faced by stylists, such as carpal tunnel and arthritis, which can result from the manual demands of long sessions.
The funding round was led by Alexis Ohanian’s venture firm, Seven Seven Six, with additional investment from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital. Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis star Serena Williams, noted the significant time commitment required for braided hairstyles, observing that while the ritual is valued, sessions lasting up to 12 hours are taxing for clients and stylists alike.
HaloBraid plans to use the capital for product development, manufacturing, and securing partnerships with salons. The company faces limited competition in the space, with Braidiant identified as its most notable rival. Ogunbiyi described hair as one of the trickiest substrates to manipulate, requiring innovative engineering approaches to achieve automation.
Beyond the initial device, the startup is exploring future technologies, including tools to assist in removing braids. Ogunbiyi stated that while HaloBraid is their first product, the broader vision is to create breakthrough technology that makes textured haircare faster, easier, and more comfortable for users and professionals.
