CertiK, the world’s largest Web3 security services provider, and YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) have announced a strategic partnership that establishes a $1 million audit grant program for all participants in YZi Labs' EASY Residency Incubation Program.
The initiative is designed to harden the security foundations of early-stage startups across Web3, AI, and biotech — before vulnerabilities become existential risks.
Rather than treating security as a late-stage checkbox, the partnership embeds it directly into the incubation process.
Security Built In, Not Bolted On
EASY Residency is YZi Labs' global incubation program focused on supporting early-stage founders committed to long-term value creation. Participants span Web3 infrastructure, AI, and biotechnology — sectors where security failures can erase years of progress overnight.
Under the new partnership, CertiK will provide:
A dedicated $1 million audit grant pool for EASY Residency participants
Access to smart contract audits, Skynet Boosting, and AI-powered security scanning
Ongoing monitoring tools designed to catch vulnerabilities before they are exploited
YZi Labs will actively connect its incubated teams with CertiK, ensuring founders not only receive audits but also gain a deeper understanding of how to design with security in mind from day one.
A Shift in How Early-Stage Web3 Is Built
Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, framed the partnership as a necessary evolution in how startups are supported:
“Security is the foundation of long-term success, but for early-stage founders, it’s often a high-stakes distraction while they’re still chasing product–market fit. Think of it like building a skyscraper: founders should focus on the architecture and vision, while CertiK acts as the structural engineers ensuring the frame is earthquake-proof.”
Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs
That analogy captures the core insight behind the initiative: founders shouldn’t have to choose between speed and security.
From “Move Fast” to “Build Right”
For much of Web3’s early history, speed was rewarded — often at the expense of resilience. That tradeoff has proven costly. Exploits, rug pulls, and smart contract failures have drained billions from the ecosystem and eroded trust among users and institutions alike.
By combining capital, incubation, and security tooling, CertiK and YZi Labs are effectively redefining what it means to be “incubated” in Web3. Security is no longer optional, deferred, or reactive — it’s foundational.
“We believe this collaboration will significantly improve the security level of early-stage projects, providing essential guarantees for their long-term development. This isn’t just about individual teams — it’s about the health and sustainability of the entire Web3 ecosystem.”
Ronghui Gu, CertiK Co-Founder & CEO Professor
If successful, this model could become a benchmark for future incubation programs across blockchain and beyond.
Why CertiK’s Involvement Matters
Founded in 2017 by professors from Yale University and Columbia University, the company has become the largest and most trusted Web3 security provider globally. To date, CertiK has:
Worked with 5,000+ enterprise clients
Secured over $600 billion in digital assets
Detected more than 180,000 vulnerabilities in blockchain code
Its client roster includes major ecosystems and protocols such as Aptos, Ripple, Polygon, BNB Chain, TON, and The Sandbox.
CertiK has raised capital from top-tier investors including Sequoia, Coatue, Goldman Sachs, Insight Partners, and Shunwei Capital, reaching a valuation exceeding $2 billion.
YZi Labs’ Long-Term Bet on Builders
YZi Labs, founded by CZ in 2017 and led by Ella Zhang, manages over $10 billion in assets globally and backs long-term builders across Web3, AI, and biotech.
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Its portfolio spans 300+ projects across 25+ countries, with more than 65 teams graduating from its incubation programs. The firm has increasingly focused on refining incubation itself — not just funding startups, but shaping how they are built.
Embedding security at this stage reflects that evolution.
