Global In-Person Incubation Program Kicks Off with YZi Labs Backed by CZ under the EASY Residency Initiative
Rewritten Article:
The startup world can be a grueling battlefield for early-stage founders, but YZi Labs is shaking things up with the debut of its EASY Incubation program. Supported by Binance co-founder CZ and helmed by an forward-thinking venture capital powerhouse, this groundbreaking global initiative is geared toward helping bold innovators build, expand, and flourish.
Setting sail on June 2, 2025, in the heart of Silicon Valley, EASY Incubation isn't your typical accelerator—it's a 10-week immersive experience tailor-made for daring minds pushing the boundaries in Web3, AI, and healthcare. With all essential expenses covered, including lodging, meals, workspace, and seed funding, this is a golden ticket for global entrepreneurs to concentrate on their ventures without the usual distractions.
What's the Lowdown on EASY Incubation?
EASY Incubation is YZi Labs' brainchild, designed to fortify early-stage founders through a unique marriage of financial assistance, mentorship, and global exposure. Unlike the monotony of remote meetings and Zoom fatigue, this program takes place in-person, starting in Silicon Valley and spreading to global tech hubs like Singapore and Dubai. What sets this global startup program apart is its laser-focus on hands-on incubation. Participants will receive all they need, from daily essentials to strategic backing, to focus wholly on building their startups. It's a founder-centric program aimed at cultivating a focused environment for world-changing ideas to take flight.
Why Cathy Dou is Walking the Point
YZi Labs has chosen Cathy Dou as Incubation Operations Lead to captain the ship. With nearly 20 years of experience in Asia, Europe, and the US, Cathy boasts unparalleled expertise in technology, media, entrepreneurship, and angel investing. Her tenure in robotics at ABB and her success as a media entrepreneur have given her a rare mix of operational precision and visionary insight. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, considers Cathy akin to Emily Liu from HF0, nicknaming her "the ultimate operator," someone with an exceptional ability to listen and support founders. Cathy's mission is clear: create a nurturing hotbed for premier founders and remove every obstacle that impedes them from building something groundbreaking.
What Founders Get from the 10-Week Launchpad
Selected teams (between 10 and 20) will receive:
- Initial funding to jumpstart their projects
- Expert advice from influential investors, tech whizzes, and industry trailblazers
- complimentary accommodation, meals, and workspace for the entire 10-week span
- Center-stage at Demo Day, where top venture capitalists will evaluate their product and progress
This ain't just a program, it's a vibrant crucible designed to foster deep concentration and expedite outcomes for those chosen.
How EASY Incubation Fits the Global Startup Ecosystem
With over $10 billion in assets under management, YZi Labs is no stranger to massive wagers. Their investment strategy leans heavily on making positive impacts, with more than 300 companies in 25 countries in their portfolio, including over 65 that have passed through one of YZi's incubation tracks. Now, with EASY Incubation, YZi is taking things a step further, offering in-person, ultra-focused support to Web3 incubation and other high-impact domains—all with ambitions to establish a borderless support network for the world's brightest ideas.
What's Next and How to Apply
Applications for the inaugural EASY Incubation cohort are open as of now. The deadline is May 21, 2025, at 23:59 GMT-7. With spots limited and a highly competitive selection process, entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply early with a strong case for why they stand among the best of the best. The final Demo Day on August 10, 2025, will serve as an incredible opportunity to gain visibility with top venture capitalists and prove real-world traction. From the first cohort and beyond, EASY Incubation is poised to earn a spot among the world's most prestigious global startup programs.
A Process That Truly Makes It EASY
In a world where early-stage innovators face numerous challenges, EASY Incubation offers a glimmer of hope. With backing from CZ and guided by a powerhouse like Cathy Dou, YZi Labs is flipping the script on founder support. This ain't about lectures or theories—it's about building. Giving genius minds the space to focus, the resources to act, and the partners to grow. And for the fortunate few who manage to make the cut, EASY Incubation might just be the springboard to the next game-changer.
- YZi Labs' recently announced EASY Incubation program, supported by Binance co-founder CZ, aims to provide financial assistance, mentorship, and global exposure to early-stage founders, particularly those working in Web3, AI, and healthcare.
- Cathy Dou, Incubation Operations Lead at YZi Labs, will oversee the program with her extensive experience in technology, media, entrepreneurship, and angel investing, creating a nurturing environment for premier founders to build their startups effectively.
- Selected teams in the 10-week EASY Incubation program will receive various benefits, including initial funding, expert advice, complimentary accommodation, meals, and workspace, and the opportunity to showcase their product to top venture capitalists at the Demo Day.
