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- YZi Labs rebranded from Binance Labs, will now focus on AI, biotechnology, cryptocurrency, and blockchain.
- Changpeng Zhao remains involved with YZi Labs, guiding its investment committee after stepping down from Binance leadership.
YZi Labs, previously Binance Labs, has announced its rebranding, marking a key milestone in its evolution. The venture capital firm, which operated independently for years, has fully detached from the Binance identity to pursue wider opportunities. Expanding its focus, the firm plans to explore artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology alongside cryptocurrency and blockchain.
— YZi Labs (@BinanceLabs) January 23, 2025
Ella Zhang, who formerly led Binance Labs, has resumed leadership at YZi Labs to drive this transformation. During her previous tenure, Zhang supported over 40 startups, including Polygon, CertiK, and Elrond. With her leadership, the firm intends to guide its growth by backing innovative founders with long-term potential.
While 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,
The rebranding represents a natural step for YZi Labs, which had already functioned independently under the Binance name. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao will continue contributing to investment activities, offering his extensive industry expertise to mentor founders and identify growth opportunities.
YZi Labs Expands Investment Scope
As part of its new focus, YZi Labs intends to explore investments ranging from $500,000 to $50 million, including liquid tokens. The firm has also announced plans to expand its workforce from nine to 20 members to better address the demands of emerging sectors like AI and biotechnology.
The rebrand will not disrupt existing programs or initiatives. YZi Labs has reassured that all portfolio companies will continue receiving the same level of support, including those in the Incubation Program and the BNB Chain’s Most Valuable Builder program. The revamped Incubation Program will feature a 12-week residency with in-person experiences to foster a collaborative environment for founders.
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— BNB Chain (@BNBCHAIN) January 8, 2025
The shift towards a broader investment strategy has been bolstered by the company’s substantial $10 billion portfolio. Much of that wealth comes from tokens issued by projects previously backed by Binance Labs. Notable investments have included Sky Mavis, Aptos Labs, and The Sandbox.
CZ’s Next Chapter — A Strategic Shift
Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, will remain deeply involved with YZi Labs. Despite stepping down from Binance leadership, his influence as part of YZi Labs’ investment committee will continue to shape the firm’s future. Zhao’s net worth, valued at $69.8 billion according to Bloomberg, is largely derived from his stake in Binance Holdings.
Interestingly, YZi Labs is transitioning into a family office investment tool, managing assets for Binance co-founder He Yi. This move echoes other notable transitions in the investment world, such as Steve Cohen’s shift with SAC Capital Advisors. The new structure positions YZi Labs as a wealth management entity while maintaining its venture capital roots.
Zhang and Zhao both underscored the importance of innovation and long-term impact. While Zhao remains a key figure, Zhang noted there is no immediate plan for him to inject additional funds into YZi Labs. Instead, the focus is on refining strategies and venturing into transformative industries like biotech and AI.
