Binance Labs has been rebranded as YZi Labs

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Binance Labs has been rebranded as YZi Labs

• The Binance Labs team has announced a rebranding to YZi Labs.
• Ella Zhang, co-founder of the incubator, will lead the revamped project.
• YZi Labs plans to fund solutions based on artificial intelligence and biotechnology while maintaining the core principles of Web3.

The Binance Labs team has announced a rebranding and a name change to YZi Labs.

Alongside the rebranding, the venture firm will expand its investments beyond cryptocurrency and blockchain startups to include Web3, artificial intelligence (AI), and biotechnology, according to the statement.

Ella Zhang, co-founder of Binance Labs, will lead YZi Labs, while Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) will remain involved in investment activities, offering direct mentorship and coaching to the division’s founders, as noted in the announcement.

During her previous tenure leading Binance Labs from 2018 to 2020, Zhang supported the growth of more than 40 startups, including Polygon, Injective Protocol, CertiK, Dune Analytics, Kava, SafePal, Elrond, and Nym, according to representatives from YZi Labs.

In the coming year, YZi Labs will focus its investments on Web3, AI, and biotechnology, exploring innovations at the intersection of these fields while continuing to back projects with long-term impact potential, the team emphasized.

YZi Labs will enhance its incubation program by reintroducing in-person meetings.

“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.”

However, the rebranding will not affect existing programs, resources, or initiatives, including the incubation program and support for the BNB Chain’s Most Valuable Builder (MVB) program.

Notably, in August 2024, as part of the seventh season of the MVB program, Binance Labs provided funding for four startups: Aggregata, Opinion Labs, Sidekick, and Vooi.