Binance Labs, the venture capital arm of Binance, has officially rebranded to YZi Labs, marking its independence and expanding its investment focus beyond crypto and blockchain to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and biotechnology.

This move comes as Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance’s founder and former CEO, continues to distance himself from direct operations at Binance. However, CZ, according to the announcement, remains a central figure at YZi Labs, where he plays an active role in investments, providing direct mentorship and guidance to startup founders.

Rebranding and Independence

The decision to rebrand is seen as a natural progression for the organization, which has operated independently for years while leveraging the Binance name. With CZ stepping away from Binance, YZi Labs is following suit by establishing itself as a standalone entity.

The rebrand aligns with YZi Labs’ broader vision to explore investments in transformative industries, including AI and biotech, while maintaining its roots in Web3 innovation.

Despite his reduced role at Binance, CZ’s influence remains strong at YZi Labs. His involvement extends to mentoring startup founders, an approach that underscores his commitment to shaping the next generation of innovators.

"Rebranding to YZi Labs is more than a name change—it’s about expanding our focus while staying dedicated to empowering founders with the tools and guidance they need to succeed," CZ stated.

Leadership Transition

Ella Zhang, who originally launched Binance Labs alongside CZ in 2018, has returned to lead YZi Labs as its head. Zhang played a pivotal role in the early success of Binance Labs, supporting startups such as Polygon, CertiK, and Dune Analytics.

Her return brings a founder-focused perspective to YZi Labs, which aims to push boundaries by investing at the intersection of Web3, AI, and biotech.

YZi Labs assured its existing portfolio companies that the rebranding would not affect ongoing programs or resources. The organization will also refine its incubation program, introducing a 12-week in-person residency for startup founders to foster collaboration and innovation.