YZi Labs Launches the EASY Residence Incubation Initiative to Offer Full Funding and Mentorship for Startups

Hong Kong-based investment firm YZi Labs Previously known as Binance Labs, YZi Labs has launched the EASY Residence program, a unique initiative aimed at providing hands-on and direct support to founders in the cutting-edge fields of Web3, AI, and healthcare. This program is structured as a ten-week in-person global incubation experience, offering a fresh perspective by prioritizing long-lasting partnerships, trust, and a commitment to mutual success.

Participants in the program can expect all-encompassing support that includes accommodation, meals, and initial funding to alleviate any logistical burdens. This framework allows founders to concentrate fully on product development and scaling their ventures.

The EASY Residence program embodies a key philosophy championed by Changpeng Zhao (CZ), which advocates for concentrated effort rather than spreading oneself too thin: 'Success stems not from the number of tasks you undertake, but from the excellence with which you execute a select few. Maintaining focus enables diligent work and paves the way for removing distractions from your life.' In alignment with this ideology, YZi Labs strives to aid founders in minimizing diversions, refining their focus, and progressing from the ideation stage to achieving concrete results—such as a fully developed product with early user engagement or sales momentum—by the time of the program's Demo Day.

This initiative underscores three pivotal sectors identified as essential for future innovation: Web3, AI, and healthcare. While these remains the primary focus areas, the program remains open to innovative breakthroughs within these fields. In terms of Web3, YZi Labs is particularly keen on advancements in blockchain scalability, mechanisms for MEV design, decentralized finance (DeFi), robust privacy and security tools, tokenized asset solutions, and evolving decentralized internet frameworks. In the AI sector, they are interested in autonomous systems, development resources designed for AI creators, collaborative multi-agent systems, and privacy-oriented AI frameworks. The healthcare aspect looks toward decentralization in science (DeSci), AI-integrated diagnostics, models for health data ownership, and transparent systems aimed at managing chronic health issues.

Participants of the EASY Residence program will enjoy a customized experience tailored to their unique needs, supported by an infrastructure and mentorship cultivated to nurture both technological aspirations and personal development. From living spaces to workspace arrangements, every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance productivity and inspire creativity.

Beyond the ten-week timeframe, the program fosters long-term relationships through an active community, ongoing mentorship, and access to a worldwide network of investors, promoting a culture where founders receive support not just during their build phases, but continue their journey within a thriving ecosystem focused on collaboration and mutual support.

Participants will receive mentorship from a global roster of esteemed experts, each bringing a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields. This includes individuals such as CZ, co-founder and former CEO of Binance; Yi He, co-founder of Binance; Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin , known for advising projects rooted in decentralized, open-source values; Matt Huang, co-founder of Paradigm; Dr. Le Cong from Stanford University, who specializes in genetics; Ronghui Gu, CEO of CertiK, also a professor at Columbia University; Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon; Eric Chen from Injective, balancing DeFi with traditional finance; Veronica Wong of SafePal, an expert on wallet security; and Harry Halpin of Nym, who focuses on privacy and secure communication.

The EASY Residence is envisioned as a stepping stone and long-term foundation for ambitious founders eager to confront significant challenges with focus, support, and a clear vision.

Global Incubation Program Kicks Off in Silicon Valley, Inviting Visionary Founders to Apply Ahead of June 2025 Start

The kick-off for the inaugural session is set for June 2nd in Silicon Valley, California, lasting ten weeks and concluding with a Demo Day on August 10th. During this event, founders will showcase their working products and early-stage progress to a gathering of distinguished venture capitalists from relevant sectors, presenting a prime chance for teams to connect with influential investors.

As the program looks ahead to future sessions, plans are underway to expand its footprint globally, targeting key innovation hubs like Singapore and Dubai. These sites reflect the initiative's dedication to identifying and cultivating talent in diverse ecosystems while broadening its reach to a worldwide community of emerging innovators.

The application window is now open and will close at 23:59 (GMT-7) on May 21st. The selection process aims to uncover 10 to 20 exceptional teams for the inaugural cohort, focusing on candidates who possess not only robust technical skills but also a clear vision and an eagerness to tackle ambitious projects that could potentially create significant positive change.

Founders interested in engaging in this dynamic and highly tailored incubation opportunity are encouraged to submit their applications promptly while the portal remains available.