Binance Labs Rebrands as YZi Labs, Focuses on AI and Biotech Innovations

Binance Labs Rebrands to YZi Labs, marking a significant shift towards artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology investments. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) will actively mentor startups, providing strategic guidance to drive innovation within the incubator.

Binance Labs Rebrands: A New Vision for Innovation

On Jan. 23, Binance Labs announced its transition to YZi Labs, signaling its commitment to merging blockchain with AI and biotech to tackle real-world challenges. According to a Jan. 23 announcement, Binance Labs Rebrands initiative also includes plans for expanding mentorship programs under CZ’s leadership.

Ella Zhang, co-founder of Binance Labs, has returned to lead the rebranded program, further strengthening the initiative. The newly rebranded YZi Labs will reintroduce its 12-week in-person residency program, designed to empower project founders with resources, mentorship, and technical expertise.

Notable Investments by Binance Labs Rebrands Initiative

Before its transformation, Binance Labs Rebrands had already demonstrated its commitment to supporting innovative projects in AI and decentralized science (DeSci):

1. Sahara AI

• Offers onchain attribution for intellectual property rights.
• Rewards contributors supporting the decentralized AI infrastructure.

2. MyShell

• Simplifies the creation and sharing of AI-powered applications.

In November 2024, Binance Labs Rebrands ventured into DeSci by investing in BIO Protocol, a DAO-focused accelerator for biotechnology research. BIO Protocol supports life-saving treatments and pharmaceutical innovations through decentralized funding.

The Role of Decentralized Science (DeSci)

Decentralized Science (DeSci) leverages blockchain to address funding gaps in medical research. It introduces tokenized incentives and smart contracts to facilitate collaboration and transparency.

Key Features of DeSci:

• Tokenized Incentives: Rewarding contributions to research.
• Smart Contracts: Ensuring transparency in peer review and funding.
• DAOs: Promoting global collaboration without regulatory barriers.

DeSci ecosystem map as of December 30, 2024. Source: Messari.

DeSci projects like ResearchHub, which reward researchers with cryptocurrency for peer-reviewed publications, are gaining mainstream recognition. In December 2024, Nature, a leading scientific journal, featured ResearchHub, highlighting its potential.

How Binance Labs Rebrands is Shaping the Future

With its rebranding, Binance Labs Rebrands is positioned to lead at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and biotech. The reintroduction of the 12-week residency program reflects the incubator’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering innovation.

Under CZ’s mentorship and Ella Zhang’s leadership, Binance Labs Rebrands initiative aims to support startups in scaling their projects while addressing global challenges.

Summary

The transformation of Binance Labs Rebrands into YZi Labs marks a bold step toward blockchain innovation, emphasizing AI and biotech. Investments in groundbreaking projects like Sahara AI, MyShell, and BIO Protocol demonstrate the incubator’s dedication to emerging technologies.

By leading the DeSci movement, Binance Labs Rebrands initiative sets the stage for transformative advancements in research and collaboration, positioning itself as a pioneer in the crypto ecosystem.