Yinka Ogunbiyi has raised $7 million to develop technology for professional hair braiding. Her invention aims to make braiding much faster.
Ogunbiyi is a Nigerian engineer and Harvard alumna. She co-invented HaloBraid with fellow Harvard alumnus David Afolabi. The device is designed to help hairstylists complete braids five times faster.
HaloBraid is the first product from Ogunbiyi’s technology company, Halo. The patent-pending device is expected to launch later in 2026.
Yinka Ogunbiyi Raises $7 Million For HaloBraid
Halo secured a $7 million seed round to support the development of HaloBraid. Alexis Ohanian’s venture firm, Seven Seven Six, led the funding round. AlleyCorp and Bling Capital also participated.
The new funding will support several parts of the product’s development. These include salon partnerships, stylist testing, and manufacturing preparation. Halo also plans to make the device available worldwide.
Ogunbiyi said the technology addresses a problem that has remained unchanged for years.
“Innovation in this category is long overdue,” Ogunbiyi said.
She added that HaloBraid is only the company’s first product. Her larger goal is to develop technology for textured hair care.
HaloBraid Could Make Hair Braiding Five Times Faster
Hair braiding can take several hours for both stylists and clients. Some appointments last between four and 12 hours. The long process can also create physical strain for hairstylists.
The technology behind HaloBraid targets the repetitive part of the braiding process. According to the company’s press release, stylists could finish braids five times faster.
That change could allow stylists to serve more clients during their workdays. It could also give them more time to rest between appointments. For salon owners, greater efficiency could create opportunities to increase business.
Yinka Ogunbiyi Turned Her Own Braiding Experience Into Technology
Ogunbiyi’s idea came from personal experience with hair braiding. She has experienced both getting her hair braided and doing her own hair.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spent four days braiding her own hair. She later shared the experience on Instagram. The process showed her just how demanding traditional braiding can be.
That experience helped inspire the development of HaloBraid. Rather than replacing hairstylists, the device is designed to support them.
“We designed this with stylists, using their perspective to build a product that supports them, without replacing them,” Ogunbiyi said.
Hair Braiding Takes Billions Of Hours Each Year
The scale of the braiding industry shows why Ogunbiyi sees an opportunity for technology. Hairstylists collectively spend about 8 billion hours braiding each year.
Individual appointments can also take much of a working day. As a result, improving speed could have a major effect on how stylists manage their schedules.
HaloBraid is designed to address the repetitive part of that work. The goal is to reduce the time needed without changing the braid style. It could also help reduce some of the physical demands placed on stylists.
Nigerian Engineer Yinka Ogunbiyi Has A Background In Technology
Ogunbiyi brings an unusual mix of engineering, business, and product experience to the project. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard University. She also earned an MBA from the university.
Before launching Halo, Ogunbiyi spent four years developing smart cooking appliances. She also worked as a chef for a year.
Her previous work helped build her experience in developing products. Now, she is applying that experience to textured hair care through HaloBraid.
Halo Plans A Worldwide Launch For Its Braiding Robot
HaloBraid is expected to officially launch later in 2026. The company is using its new funding to prepare the device for production and wider testing.
Salon partnerships will also play a role before the launch. Stylists will have opportunities to test the technology and provide feedback. That process could help refine the product before it reaches a wider market.
Ogunbiyi wants the technology to reach users around the world. Her vision extends beyond one braiding device and focuses on improving the wider textured hair-care experience.
“Our larger vision is to create category-defining technology that makes textured hair care faster, easier, more comfortable, and more joyful,” Ogunbiyi said.
The launch could mark a notable step in the use of technology within the professional braiding industry. For Ogunbiyi, it is also the next stage of a journey that began with a simple problem and a desire to find a better way.
