By George Omagbemi Sylvester
A Nigerian-American biomedical engineer and Harvard University graduate, Yinka Ogunbiyi, has gained international recognition after developing HaloBraid, described as the world’s first braid-assist robot designed to help professional hairstylists reduce physical strain while improving efficiency in salons. The innovation has already attracted $7 million in seed funding and generated interest from more than 7,000 salons awaiting its commercial rollout.
HaloBraid was created to assist, rather than replace, professional braiders by automating some of the repetitive and physically demanding aspects of hair braiding. The technology is expected to reduce the time required for braiding sessions while helping hairstylists avoid long-term occupational injuries caused by repetitive hand and arm movements.
Ogunbiyi conceived the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic after spending four days installing her own knotless braids. Inspired by the experience, she partnered with co-founder David Afolabi to develop a patented robotic system capable of supporting professional hairstylists without replacing the creativity and expertise required for the craft.
The startup’s funding round was 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 funds will be used to accelerate production, expand operations and prepare HaloBraid for commercial deployment.
The achievement has been widely celebrated within the Nigerian diaspora and the global technology community.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) congratulated Ogunbiyi, describing her accomplishment as a proud moment for Nigeria and a testament to the growing impact of Nigerian innovators in science and technology.
Analysts say HaloBraid demonstrates how engineering and artificial intelligence can be applied to transform traditional industries while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and skilled professionals worldwide.
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