YZi Labs, the investment and incubation arm of Binance, formerly known as Binance Labs, has unveiled a $1 billion Builder Fund aimed at accelerating innovation across the BNB Ecosystem, with a special focus on BNB Chain.

The initiative seeks to provide startups and founders with not only financial support but also strategic guidance, ecosystem access, and the tools necessary to transform groundbreaking ideas into real-world applications.

By combining funding with hands-on mentorship and a connection to YZi Labs’ 460 million-user ecosystem, the company hopes to strengthen BNB Chain’s position as a global hub for blockchain innovation.

The Builder Fund is designed to help founders working in cutting-edge sectors such as decentralised finance (DeFi), artificial intelligence (AI), real-world assets (RWAs), decentralised science, payments, and wallets.

YZi Labs intends to support projects that blend blockchain with emerging technologies, encouraging solutions that are both innovative and practical.

By investing in a diverse range of startups, the company aims to create a more resilient and versatile ecosystem, where each project contributes to BNB Chain’s overall growth and usability.

Beyond funding, YZi Labs emphasises mentorship and strategic support.

Founders can access developer programs, workshops, and guidance from industry experts, allowing them to refine their products and business models while navigating the complex world of blockchain technology.

Partnerships with organisations such as CoinMarketCap also offer startups a platform to reach larger communities, ensuring that promising projects gain the visibility and adoption they need to succeed.

BNB Chain’s high-performance, low-cost infrastructure is a key factor in this initiative. The network has recently recorded 26 million daily transactions and ranks first globally in decentralised exchange trading volume and daily active users.

The Maxwell Hardfork, implemented earlier this year, reduced block times to 0.75 seconds and cut transaction fees to 0.05 Gwei, enhancing the platform’s accessibility for developers and users alike.

By leveraging this scalable and efficient infrastructure, startups backed by the Builder Fund can focus on innovation without being hindered by technical limitations or high operational costs.

YZi Labs is also expanding its incubation efforts through the EASY Residency Season 2, which will operate in cities including New York, San Francisco, Dubai, and Singapore.

This program provides an immersive environment for builders, offering up to $500,000 in funding per startup and direct access to YZi Labs’ global network of investors, mentors, and partners.

The Most Valuable Builder track, integrated into the residency, is designed to recognise and nurture BNB-based innovators who demonstrate long-term commitment and high potential.

Through strategic investments and targeted incubation, YZi Labs has previously supported projects such as PancakeSwap, ListaDAO, Aster, and Aspecta, while also advancing institutional participation through initiatives like the BNB Digital Asset Treasury and the RWA Fund.

The new Builder Fund builds on this foundation, signalling YZi Labs’ ambition to create a global ecosystem where innovation in Web3, AI, and biotech can thrive and scale.

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