YZi Labs Launches EASY Residency Program for Early-stage Web3, AI, and Healthcare Founders

The startup world has always been tough for early-stage founders, but YZi Labs is making it radically easier with the launch of its EASY Residency program.

In the startup world, early-stage founders usually face an uphill battle. But YZi Labs is making it radically easier with the launch of its EASY Residency program.

Backed by Binance founder CZ and boasting one of the most visionary leadership teams in venture capital, this new global initiative is designed to help the top 1% of early founders build, scale, and thrive. Launching on June 2 in Silicon Valley, the EASY Residency isn’t just another accelerator, it’s a 10-week in-person experience designed for the boldest minds building in Web3, AI, and healthcare.

With all essential expenses covered, including housing, meals, workspace, and early funding, this is an opportunity for global founders to truly lock in and build without the usual distractions.

What Is EASY Residency and Why Does It Matter?

The EASY Residency is YZi Labs' newest program focused on supporting promising startups through a unique blend of financial aid, mentorship, and global exposure. Unlike programs focused on virtual meetings and Zoom fatigue, this program takes place in-person, kicking off in Silicon Valley before expanding to international tech hubs like Singapore and Dubai.

What sets this global startup program apart is its sharp focus on hands-on incubation. Participants will receive everything they need, from daily necessities to strategic support, to focus fully on building their startups. It’s a founder-first program aimed at creating a focused environment where world-changing ideas can take flight.

Why Cathy Dou Was Chosen to Lead EASY Residency?

To run the show, YZi Labs has appointed Cathy Dou as Incubation Operations Lead. With nearly 20 years of experience across Asia, Europe, and the US, Cathy brings unmatched depth in technology, media, entrepreneurship, and angel investing. Her time in robotics at ABB and her success as a media entrepreneur give her a rare mix of operational rigor and visionary thinking. Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs, compared Cathy to Emily Liu from HF0, calling her "the ultimate operator," someone who deeply listens and supports founders.

Cathy's mission is clear: create an "immersive zone" for top-tier founders and remove every barrier that keeps them from building something world-changing.

What Founders Get From the 10-Week Incubation?

Selected teams (between 10 and 20) will receive:

This isn’t just a program, it’s an experience designed to nurture deep focus and accelerate outcomes. For those chosen, EASY Residency provides the kind of environment most early-stage founders only dream about.

How EASY Residency Fits Into the Global Startup Ecosystem

Managing more than $10 billion in assets, YZi Labs is no stranger to big bets. Their investment philosophy is impact-first, with over 300 companies across 25 countries in their portfolio. More than 65 of these have already been through one of YZi's incubation tracks. Now, with the launch of EASY Residency, YZi is taking things even further, bringing in-person, hyper-focused support to Web3 incubation and other high-impact domains.

By starting in Silicon Valley and scaling to global cities, they're building a borderless support system for the best ideas in the world.

What's Next and How to Apply?

Applications are currently open for the inaugural EASY Residency cohort. The deadline is May 21 at 23:59 GMT-7. With limited spaces and a competitive selection process, founders are encouraged to apply early and be ready to showcase why they're in the top 1%. The final Demo Day on August 10 will be a major opportunity, not just to gain visibility with top VCs, but to prove real-world traction. From this first cohort onward, EASY Residency is poised to become one of the most prestigious global startup programs in the tech world.

A Residency That Truly Makes It EASY

In a world where early-stage builders face countless hurdles and skepticism, the EASY Residency is a breath of fresh air. With support from CZ and led by a powerhouse like Cathy Dou, YZi Labs is turning the idea of founder support on its head. This isn’t about lectures or theory, it’s about building. About giving brilliant minds the room to focus, the funds to act, and the partners to grow. And for those lucky enough to make it in, EASY Residency just might be the launchpad to the next big thing.