YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs)

YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) provides $100K to $500K at incubation stage, with the potential for significantly larger follow-on investments for exceptional portfolio companies. The incubation capital is designed to support teams through the 4-6 month programme period, with the expectation that Binance ecosystem access and the subsequent fundraising credibility enable larger rounds to follow.

Applications are submitted via yzilabs.com. YZi Labs runs global cohorts with no fixed geographic restriction, though it has strong preference for projects with global ambitions and a clear thesis for how the Binance ecosystem (users, launchpad, exchange) accelerates their growth. Projects should demonstrate how they would leverage Binance's 280 million+ user base as part of their application.

The strategic value is primarily the Binance ecosystem — access to Binance's 280 million+ user base, launchpad consideration for token launches, exchange listing discussions, regulatory relationships across 100+ countries, and He Yi's (Binance co-founder) direct network. Few accelerators globally can offer this combination of distribution scale and exchange infrastructure access, making YZi Labs uniquely valuable for projects where global exchange reach is critical.

YZi Labs takes a combination of equity and tokens as part of its investment model, though the specific terms are negotiated individually and are not publicly standardised. Given the strategic value of the Binance ecosystem access alongside capital, terms reflect both financial and strategic considerations. Founders should expect a thorough term negotiation process and should engage legal counsel before signing.

The incubation programme runs for 4 to 6 months, during which teams receive mentorship, Binance ecosystem access, and operational support. The programme is global by design — operating across Singapore, Dubai, London, and other locations — though remote participation is possible for teams not based in YZi Labs' key office cities.

YZi Labs is chain-agnostic and invests in Web3 infrastructure, DeFi and CeFi, AI and blockchain convergence, gaming and metaverse, financial inclusion in emerging markets, and cross-chain solutions. Projects with global ambitions and a clear thesis for how Binance ecosystem access accelerates their roadmap are the strongest candidates — particularly those targeting emerging market user bases where Binance has dominant market share.