Binance Labs has officially evolved into YZi Labs, marking a bold new chapter in the world of tech-driven venture development. With a strategic pivot toward funding groundbreaking projects at the intersection of Web3, artificial intelligence (AI), and biotechnology, this rebrand signifies more than just a name change—it represents a visionary shift in how next-generation technologies will be incubated and scaled.
Having already invested over $500 million in innovative startups across 30 countries, YZi Labs is positioning itself as a leading force in shaping the future of decentralized ecosystems, intelligent systems, and life sciences. The transformation from Binance Labs to YZi Labs reflects a broader ambition: to support pioneers who are not only redefining digital economies but also advancing human potential through cutting-edge science and technology.
A New Era for Tech Incubation: Introducing YZi Labs
Founded in 2018 as the venture arm of Binance, Binance Labs quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the Web3 ecosystem. It has backed more than 160 startups, including major players in blockchain infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), and Layer-2 solutions. Now reborn as YZi Labs, the organization is expanding its mission beyond cryptocurrency to embrace transformative fields like AI and biotech.
As announced in an official blog post on January 23, 2025, YZi Labs aims to "finance use cases at the intersection of Web3, AI, and biotechnology." This strategic focus underscores a growing recognition that the most impactful innovations will emerge where these powerful technologies converge.
The incubation program remains a core pillar of YZi Labs’ operations. Founders accepted into the program gain access to mentorship from industry leaders such as Changpeng Zhao (CZ), co-founder of Binance, and Ella Zhang, co-founder of Binance Labs. This high-level guidance, combined with funding, technical resources, and go-to-market support, creates an ideal environment for early-stage startups aiming to disrupt traditional industries.
YZi Labs’ global reach continues to expand, with cohorts drawing talent from Silicon Valley to Singapore, Berlin to Nairobi. Its emphasis on cross-disciplinary innovation sets it apart from traditional crypto-focused accelerators.
Why Web3, AI, and Biotech? The Convergence Driving Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs
The decision to focus on Web3, AI, and biotechnology is not arbitrary—it's rooted in long-term trends shaping the global innovation landscape.
Web3: Decentralizing Trust and Ownership
Web3 represents a paradigm shift in how digital interactions are structured. By leveraging blockchain technology, decentralized identity, and token-based economies, Web3 enables users to own their data, assets, and online experiences. From decentralized science (DeSci) to creator economies, Web3 is creating new models for collaboration and value exchange.
Artificial Intelligence: Smarter Systems, Faster Innovation
AI is accelerating progress across virtually every sector. In healthcare, AI models can predict disease outbreaks; in finance, they power algorithmic trading and fraud detection. When combined with Web3, AI gains transparency and decentralization—critical for ethical deployment. Projects like Sahara AI and MyShell, both backed by YZi Labs, are pioneering decentralized AI frameworks that prevent monopolistic control over data and algorithms.
Biotechnology: Engineering Life for Human Advancement
Biotech is unlocking revolutionary possibilities—from gene editing and personalized medicine to sustainable food production. YZi Labs’ investment in BIO Protocol highlights its commitment to DeSci (Decentralized Science)—a movement using blockchain to make scientific research more open, reproducible, and community-funded. By removing gatekeepers from peer review and funding processes, DeSci could dramatically accelerate medical breakthroughs.
👉 See how decentralized science is transforming research and development worldwide.
Strategic Investments Paving the Way Forward
YZi Labs isn’t just announcing a new vision—it’s already acting on it.
- In August 2024, the lab announced funding for Sahara AI, a platform building decentralized machine learning networks that allow users to train models without surrendering personal data.
- Around the same time, MyShell received backing for its no-code tools enabling anyone to create custom AI agents—democratizing access to artificial intelligence.
- In November 2024, YZi Labs invested in BIO Protocol, an accelerator dedicated to DeSci startups working on open-source drug discovery, synthetic biology, and transparent clinical trials.
These investments reveal a clear pattern: YZi Labs is targeting projects that remove central points of failure, enhance user sovereignty, and promote equitable access to powerful technologies.
The lab also continues to support core Web3 infrastructure—such as privacy-preserving protocols, zero-knowledge proof systems, and interoperability layers—ensuring that the foundation for future innovation remains robust and scalable.
FAQ: Your Questions About YZi Labs Answered
Q: What does "YZi Labs" mean?
A: The name “YZi” is pronounced “Easy” or “izi,” symbolizing the lab’s goal of making cutting-edge innovation accessible and streamlined for founders worldwide.
Q: Is YZi Labs still connected to Binance?
A: Yes. While operating with strategic independence, YZi Labs maintains strong ties to Binance and benefits from its vast network, resources, and expertise in blockchain technology.
Q: What types of startups does YZi Labs fund?
A: YZi Labs focuses on early-stage ventures working at the intersection of Web3, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology—especially those promoting decentralization, transparency, and open access.
Q: How can I apply to the YZi Labs incubator program?
A: Applications are typically opened through public calls on the official website. Selected teams receive funding, mentorship, technical support, and exposure to global investors.
Q: Does YZi Labs only invest in blockchain-related AI or biotech?
A: While blockchain integration is preferred—especially for transparency and incentive alignment—the lab is open to innovative applications even if they're not fully on-chain, provided they align with its core mission.
Q: Why invest in biotech through a crypto-native lens?
A: Applying Web3 principles like tokenization, DAO governance, and decentralized funding can solve systemic inefficiencies in traditional biotech—such as slow peer review, lack of reproducibility, and unequal access to breakthrough therapies.
Shaping the Future Through Interdisciplinary Innovation
YZi Labs stands at the forefront of a technological convergence that could redefine what’s possible in science, computing, and human collaboration. By bridging Web3’s trustless architecture with AI’s predictive power and biotech’s life-enhancing potential, it’s fostering an ecosystem where innovation thrives without centralized control.
This isn’t just about returns on investment—it’s about returns on impact. The projects nurtured by YZi Labs have the potential to:
- Democratize access to advanced AI tools
- Accelerate medical discoveries through open science
- Empower individuals with ownership over their digital and biological data
In doing so, YZi Labs is helping build a future where technology serves humanity—not the other way around.