HaloBraid secures $7 million to automate the hair-braiding process

Founded by Harvard engineering graduate Yinka Ogunbiyi, the company aims to modernize a process that currently consumes an estimated 8 billion hours globally each year. Ogunbiyi, who previously founded a smart appliance firm, began developing the technology after spending four days attempting to braid her own hair during the pandemic. The resulting device acts as a professional assistant: a stylist initiates the pattern, and the machine completes the braid. While patent applications remain pending, the startup confirms the system is engineered to handle both box and knotless styles while reducing physical strain on stylists.

Alexis Ohanian’s venture firm, Seven Seven Six, led the funding round, with additional backing from AlleyCorp and Bling Capital. Ohanian cited the lack of innovation in tools for textured hair as a significant market opportunity, drawing parallels to the impact of high-end consumer hardware in other beauty sectors. With a team of 15, HaloBraid plans to use the capital to scale manufacturing and secure salon partnerships ahead of a planned rollout later this year. Beyond the initial device, the firm is already exploring future robotics to automate the time-consuming process of removing braids.