YZi Labs (formally known as Binance Labs)  is a social impact fund established by Binance. It is an initiative to invest, incubate, and resource blockchain and cryptocurrency projects, entrepreneurs, and communities. It was rebranded to YZi Labs in January 2025 ^{[1] [5]}

Overview

YZi Labs runs the Incubation Program, a chain-agnostic program that aims to empower innovative projects to shape the future of Web. As Binance’s venture capital and incubation arm, YZi Labs created the program to meet founder needs, using extensive resources across the entire Binance ecosystem and crypto industry. The Incubation Program is an 8-week curriculum designed for top-tier founders.^[4]

Their investment focus includes:

• Public Blockchains
• Decentralized Exchanges (DEX)
• Wallets & Payments
• Stablecoins
• ATS/ Security Token Platforms
• Decentralized applications (dApps) Binance Labs provide an incubation program to support the best early-stage projects. The program provides a ten-week, on-site service intended to help teams deliver products or services with a market fit. They provide $500,000 in seed funding (10% equity), mentorship, networking, and support service.^[2] Projects that worked with Binance Labs include Coin98, Elrond, Kava, Moonbeam Network, Chiliz, Polygon, and more.^[1]

Binance Labs Rebrand to YZi Labs

On January 23, 2025, Binance Labs announced its rebrand to YZi Labs. ^[6]

It is fitting to step away from the Binance brand name as it expands its investment focus, moving beyond crypto and blockchain to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biotechnology (biotech), while remaining steadfastly dedicated to advancing Web3 innovation. - the announcement said

The rebrand was set to reflect its independence while expanding its investment focus to include Web3, AI, and biotech.

Under this rebranding, Changpeng Zhao will continue to play a pivotal role in investment activities, directly engaging with founders and offering mentorship and coaching. His hands-on approach highlights YZi Labs’ commitment to adding value to the industry and providing founders with opportunities to grow with the support of a respectable leader in the field.

Further strengthening YZi Labs' leadership, Ella Zhang returns as Head of YZi Labs. Together with CZ, Ella launched Binance Labs in 2018, where she served as its first head.

During her tenure, she spearheaded the first three batches of the Incubation Program, supporting over 40 startups including Polygon, Injective Protocol, CertiK, Dune Analytics, Kava, SafePal, Elrond, and Nym. Ella stepped away in 2020 to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Now returning to lead YZi Labs, Ella brings her deep investment expertise with a founder-focused perspective to steer the firm's next phase of growth. ^[5]

In the year ahead, YZi Labs aims to focus on investments in Web3, AI, and biotech, while exploring innovations at the intersection of these fields. YZi Labs remains laser-focused on the fundamentals, backing projects with the potential for long-term impact and supporting innovation that can drive the next wave of growth in the industry, regardless of market cycles or trends.

The organization will also refine its incubation program, reintroducing in-person experiences through a 12-week residency designed to foster an immersive and collaborative environment for founders.

"Rebranding to YZi Labs is more than a name change—it signifies an expanded vision as we broaden our horizons to include transformative sectors like AI and biotech," - said CZ.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Ella back to lead this next phase. Her expertise and vision were instrumental in shaping the organization’s early success, and I’m confident that under her leadership, YZi Labs will continue identifying and backing founders who will drive long-term impact.”

“I’m excited to rejoin YZi Labs at this pivotal moment and reconnect with our founders and community. While the rebranding marks the start of a new chapter, our mission remains unchanged: to empower visionary founders who are building for the long term with strong execution. By venturing into new horizons in AI and biotech, while staying rooted in our Web3 foundations, we aim to push the boundaries of innovation and create lasting value for society,” - said Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs.