Recently, Binance Labs has announced a rebranding to reflect its independence as YZi Labs, while expanding its investment focus to include Web3, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotechnology (Biotech – DeSci).
The rebranding is a natural progression for the business. For many years, the organization has operated independently despite carrying the Binance name. Now that CZ has departed Binance, it is inevitable for YZi Labs to also transition.
Under the new name, CZ will continue to play a crucial role in investment activities, directly engaging with founders and providing guidance and mentorship. His practical approach will continue to emphasize YZi Labs' commitment to adding value to the industry and providing unique opportunities for founders to develop with the support of a trusted leader in the field.
Elevating the leadership of YZi Labs, Ella Zhang returns as the Head of YZi Labs. Together with CZ, Ella launched Binance Labs in 2018, where she served as the inaugural Head. During her tenure, she led the first three cohorts of the Incubation Program, supporting over 40 startups including Polygon, Injective Protocol, CertiK, dune analytics, Kava, SafePal, Elrond and Nym. Ella departed in 2020 to pursue entrepreneurial projects. Now, in her return to lead YZi Labs, Ella brings deep investment expertise with a founder-centric perspective to navigate the next stage of the company's development.
In the coming year, YZi Labs will focus on investments in Web3, AI and biotech, while also exploring innovations at the intersection of these domains. Despite the expanded focus, YZi Labs will maintain a laser-sharp concentration on fundamentals, supporting projects with the potential to create lasting impact and drive innovation that can propel the next wave of growth in the industry, regardless of market cycles or trends.
The organization will also refine its incubation program, reintroducing hands-on experiences through a 12-week program designed to create a collaborative and diverse environment for founders.
"The rebrand to YZi Labs is not just a name change—it reflects an expanded vision as we broaden our horizons to transformative fields like AI and biotech," said CZ. "We are thrilled to welcome Ella back to lead this next chapter. Her expertise and vision played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's early success, and I believe that under her leadership, YZi Labs will continue to identify and support founders who will create lasting impact."
"I'm excited to rejoin YZi Labs at this pivotal moment and reconnect with our founders and community. While the rebrand marks the start of a new chapter, our mission remains unchanged: to empower visionary founders building for the long-term with strong execution. By venturing into new frontiers in AI and biotech, while maintaining a firm footing in Web3, we aim to push the boundaries of innovation and create sustainable value for society," said Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs.
Current portfolio companies will continue to receive equivalent support under the YZi Labs name. The rebranding will not impact existing programs, resources, or initiatives, including the incubation program and support for the BNB Chain's Most Valuable Builder (MVB) program.
About YZi Labs YZi Labs focuses on transformative technologies. YZi Labs invests in projects at all stages with strong fundamentals in Web3, Artificial Intelligence, and Biotechnology, empowering visionary founders to build lasting impact.
YZi Labs' investment portfolio includes over 250 projects from more than 25 countries across six continents. Over 65 companies in YZi Labs' investment portfolio have gone through our incubation programs. To learn more, follow YZi Labs on X.
