# Ella Zhang > Ella Zhang, co-founder of Binance Labs and now head of its successor YZi Labs, is a seasoned investor known for her long-term, founder-centric philosophy. - Canonical URL: https://iq.wiki/wiki/ella-zhang - Categories: People in crypto - Tags: Founder - Created: 2025-08-17T22:06:07.848Z - Last updated: 2025-08-18T19:38:50.450Z - Source: IQ.wiki — the world's largest blockchain and crypto encyclopedia (https://iq.wiki) --- **Ella Zhang** is a venture capitalist and technology executive noted for co-founding [YZi Labs (Binance Labs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs), the venture capital and incubation arm of [Binance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance), in 2018. [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) ## Education Ella Zhang earned a Master of Business Administration in entrepreneurship and investment from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Electronic Science and Technology in Sichuan, China. [\[2\]](#cite-id-tJg70dloCT) ## Career Zhang began her career in the technology sector with key account management at Tencent in Shenzhen from April 2005 to July 2008, followed by a role in business development at Google in Beijing from August 2008 to July 2010. [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) [\[2\]](#cite-id-tJg70dloCT) From October 2010 to July 2015, she served as an Investment Principal at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) in China. During her tenure, she focused on investments in the technology, media, and telecommunications sector and was involved in early-stage investments in several prominent Chinese internet and fintech companies, including JD.com and Himalaya. During this period, she also co-founded Xiaoduo AI in October 2014, serving as a board member until January 2020. [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) [\[2\]](#cite-id-tJg70dloCT) After completing her studies at Stanford, Zhang reconnected with the founders of [Binance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance). In January 2017, [Changpeng Zhao](https://iq.wiki/wiki/changpeng-zhao) (CZ) founded the company, and Zhang initially intended to support it as a venture capitalist but ultimately decided to join the team directly. From April 2018 to December 2019, she co-founded [Binance Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) with CZ and became its first head. Under her leadership, [Binance Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) established its investment team, conducted three incubation programs, and invested in approximately 40 to 50 projects, including notable companies such as [Polygon](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polygon), [CertiK](https://iq.wiki/wiki/certik), and [Injective Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/injective-protocol). [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) [\[2\]](#cite-id-tJg70dloCT) After leading [Binance Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs), Zhang departed to pursue her own entrepreneurial venture. From July 2020 to December 2024, she was the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Trendsi, a startup focused on artificial intelligence and smart supply chain technology. Over four and a half years, her company completed two financing rounds and reached a stable stage of development. In early 2025, at the request of CZ and He Yi, Zhang returned to lead the newly rebranded [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs), which had transitioned from an internal venture arm into an independent family office. She became Managing Partner and Head of [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) in January 2025, based in Hong Kong, and was also appointed President of Trendsi. [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) [\[2\]](#cite-id-tJg70dloCT) ### Leadership at YZi Labs Upon her return in 2025, Zhang took charge of [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) following its strategic upgrade from [Binance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance) Labs. The new entity operates as an independent family office for CZ and He Yi, allowing for a broader investment mandate and a longer-term investment horizon. This transition was motivated by a vision to support technologies with the potential for profound societal impact beyond [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain). [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) As head of [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs), Zhang has focused on providing direct support to portfolio companies. After rejoining, she initiated in-depth conversations with founders to identify their most critical needs, which were primarily marketing and talent acquisition. In response, [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) began leveraging its business development network to connect B2B projects with partners and using community and influencer resources to aid B2C projects. . [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) One of Zhang's first major initiatives was the launch of "EASY Residency," a 10-week offline incubator program for early-stage startups. The program provides each accepted startup with $500,000 in funding and personalized support, including access to the broader [Binance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance) ecosystem, which includes platforms like [Trust Wallet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/trust-wallet) and [CoinMarketCap](https://iq.wiki/wiki/coinmarketcap). [\[1\]](#cite-id-JJk7D71LxG) ## CUBE + NYSE Wired: Crypto TrailBlazers Series In this video for the *CUBE + NYSE Wired: Crypto TrailBlazers* series, YZi Labs leaders Ella Zhang and Alex Odagiu join host John Furrier to discuss [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) and the advances in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3), AI, and biotech. Zhang goes into detail about the rebrand from [Binance Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) to [YZi Labs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/binance-labs) and explains the innovative three-pillar model of incubation, direct investment, and liquid strategy.