This Hair Braiding Device Just Raised $7M to Make Braiding Faster

HaloBraid, a robotics startup that aims to speed up the braiding process, has raised $7 million in a seed round led by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s venture firm, Seven Seven Six. AlleyCorp and Biing Capital also participated in the seed round, as per TechCrunch.

How does HaloBraid work?

Co-founder Yinka Ogunbiyi conducted a study of 2,000 people, in which 95% said they would be more likely to get their braids done if the process took less time.

When speaking to TechCrunch, Ogunbiyi said the stylists start the braiding and then hand the rest of the process to HaloBraid, which completes the braid in seconds. She highlights that the device is gentle on hair and can finish knotless braids and box braids.

Ogunbiyi currently has a team of around 15 people who are already thinking about other devices to create, including one that can undo braids. “HaloBraid is our first product, but our larger vision is to create breakthrough technology that makes textured haircare faster, easier, more comfortable, and more joyful,” she added.

The 2025 President’s Innovation Challenge

In 2025, HaloBraid won a startup competition organised by Harvard Innovation Labs. Hosted at Harvard, the President’s Innovation Challenge invites students and alumni from its 13 schools to showcase groundbreaking ideas with the potential to transform industries. In the Alumni + Affiliates Open Track, the top honour was awarded to the trailblazing Halo Braid.

The pitch drew attention by addressing the experiences traditional hair-braiders face today. “What if every time you got your hair cut, it took six hours, cost $200 to $300, and gave your hair stylist arthritis at age 29? This is what it’s like to get your hair braided. And I know this first hand because I’ve worn braids all my life,” Ogunbiyi told a captive audience.

“Hair braiding is now the most popular hairstyle for 20 million Americans who experience this miserable process every eight weeks. And yet, braiding hasn’t seen innovation since braiding was invented 5000 years ago.”

Image: Yinka Ogunbiyi

The post This Hair Braiding Device Just Raised $7M to Make Braiding Faster appeared first on POCIT. Telling the stories and thoughts of the underrepresented in tech..