CertiK and YZi Labs Launch $1 Million Security Grant for EASY Residency Startups

CertiK and YZi Labs Partner on $1M Security Grant for Web3, AI, and Biotech Startups

NEW YORK, January 6 – CertiK, one of the world’s largest Web3 security providers, has joined forces with YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs) to bolster the security readiness of early-stage companies in the EASY Residency program. The collaboration introduces a $1 million audit grant to strengthen infrastructure and safeguard long-term growth for emerging ventures in Web3, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.

The EASY Residency program, operated by YZi Labs, serves as a global incubation platform supporting startups focused on building lasting impact across deep-tech sectors. Through this partnership, CertiK will provide EASY Residency participants with comprehensive security resources, including access to its audit grant, AI-driven code analysis tools, and Skynet Boosting services.

YZi Labs will play a facilitative role by connecting incubated teams directly with CertiK. These connections are intended to help startups integrate security frameworks from the early stages and familiarize themselves with CertiK’s tools and protocols.

“Security is the foundation of long-term success, but for early-stage founders, it’s often a high-stakes distraction while they are still chasing Product-Market Fit. Think of it like building a skyscraper: founders should focus on the architecture and the vision, while CertiK acts as the structural engineers, ensuring the frame is earthquake-proof,” said Ella Zhang, Head of YZi Labs.

Professor Ronghui Gu, Co-Founder and CEO of CertiK, reinforced the significance of the alliance: “We believe that our collaboration with YZi Labs will significantly improve the security level of projects, providing necessary guarantees for their long-term development. This is not only related to the growth of projects but also to the health and sustainability of the entire Web3 ecosystem.”

The move highlights a broader shift in startup incubation within the blockchain industry from rapid scaling to a more security-first mindset. By embedding risk management and technical safeguards into the foundation of startup development, the partnership reflects an evolving approach to project incubation. YZi Labs’ support signals its continued investment in refining incubation models that prioritize resilience and long-term viability, potentially establishing a new security benchmark for the broader Web3 space.