Ogunbiyi and Afolabi built Halo Braid to solve a problem every Black woman knows too well: spending hours at the salon for braids. Their machine cuts that time from nearly six hours to just thirty minutes, giving stylists the chance to double their business while saving clients precious time.

The duo recently won Harvard’s 2025 President’s Innovation Challenge, taking home the grand prize for their breakthrough. But beyond the money and recognition, what stands out is how they’ve managed to merge tech and texture — creating a solution rooted in both innovation and identity.

Halo Braid isn’t trying to replace stylists. It’s designed to work with them, handling the repetitive motions while leaving room for the artistry that makes each braid style unique. It’s a reminder that technology doesn’t have to erase culture; it can actually protect it.

From the lab to the salon chair, Halo Braid is a glimpse of what it looks like when innovation listens to culture instead of trying to rewrite it. It’s proof that the future of tech can be inclusive, creative, and yes — beautifully braided.

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