Youlife Group Inc. Announces Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Cooperation with Kazakhstan's Innova Tree to Build Cross-Border Vocational Education Ecosystem in Central Asia

Rhea-AI Summary

Youlife Group (NASDAQ: YOUL) signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on Feb 3, 2026 to cooperate with Kazakhstan-based Innova Tree on cross-border vocational education, skills training, workforce services and cultural-tourism labor programs.

The MOU aims to build a "training-certification-internship-employment" closed-loop, explore joint ventures, and leverage Kazakhstan's ~20.5 million population and ~9.3 million labor force to expand Youlife's international vocational education ecosystem.

The MOU is non-binding and any transaction depends on definitive agreements, due diligence and required approvals.

Positive

• Access to Kazakhstan market with ~20.5M population and 9.3M labor force
• Plan to build cross-border training-certification-internship-employment closed-loop
• Intent to explore joint ventures for resource sharing and brand development

Negative

• MOU is non-binding and does not guarantee a completed transaction
• Any deal is subject to due diligence, definitive agreements, and regulatory approvals

News Market Reaction

-4.55%

1 alert

-4.55% News Effect

-21.1% Trough Tracked

-$5M Valuation Impact

$100M Market Cap

0.1x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, YOUL declined 4.55%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -21.1% from its starting point during tracking. This price movement removed approximately $5M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $100M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Kazakhstan population: 20.5 million Kazakhstan labor force: 9.3 million YouheHR share issuance: 4,967,809 shares +5 more

8 metrics

Kazakhstan population 20.5 million Population cited from Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan labor force 9.3 million Labor force size in Kazakhstan per national statistics

YouheHR share issuance 4,967,809 shares New Class A shares as consideration in YouheHR acquisition

YouheHR purchase price RMB69.6 million Aggregate purchase price for YouheHR in share exchange agreement

Reference share price USD2.0 Reference price used to calculate YouheHR share consideration

Performance target RMB12.0 million Minimum annual net profit and operating cash inflow for 2026-2028

Early lock-up end (Dec 17, 2025) 4,239,811 shares Class A shares with early termination of lock-up restrictions

Additional early lock-up end 8,840,886 shares Class A shares with early lock-up termination approved on Sep 30, 2025

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.20 Vol: Volume 48,087 is about 9%...

low vol

$1.20 Last Close

Volume Volume 48,087 is about 9% of the 20-day average 517,613, indicating muted pre-news trading. low

Technical Price at $1.32 is trading below the 200-day MA of $1.83 and about 76% below the 52-week high of $5.50.

Peers on Argus

YOUL was down 5.71% while key peers were mixed: STG +2.14%, SKIL +7.67%, IH +1.1...

YOUL was down 5.71% while key peers were mixed: STG +2.14%, SKIL +7.67%, IH +1.10%, VSA -12.69%, LGCY 0%. No broad sector move or common news theme was detected.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 28 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 28	WaaS LOI announcement	Positive	+2.6%	Non-binding LOI with VCIG to build robotics-enabled WaaS platform for ASEAN.
Jan 23	Acquisition LOI	Positive	-23.7%	Non-binding LOI to acquire Anlian HR OMO recruitment platform in China.
Jan 22	Definitive share exchange	Positive	+5.0%	Definitive agreement to acquire four regional HR service companies via share exchange.
Jan 09	Cruise JV partnership	Positive	+2.1%	Strategic JV with Sealand Maritime to build cruise tourism talent ecosystem.
Dec 12	HR expansion LOI	Positive	-12.3%	Non-binding LOI for pure-equity acquisition of four HR service companies.

Pattern Detected

Recent partnership and expansion headlines often saw modest positive moves, but non-binding LOIs have shown mixed reactions, including sharp selloffs.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, Youlife announced several expansion and partnership steps, including a definitive share exchange on Jan 22, 2026 to acquire four regional HR companies, and a robotics-enabled WaaS LOI on Jan 28, 2026. Non-binding LOIs on Dec 12, 2025 and Jan 23, 2026 produced sizable negative reactions, while the definitive M&A and a cruise-talent joint venture on Jan 9, 2026 were followed by gains. Today’s non-binding MOU fits the pattern of international, ecosystem-focused expansion initiatives.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement adds an international layer to Youlife’s recent expansion, linking its blue-collar...

Analysis

This announcement adds an international layer to Youlife’s recent expansion, linking its blue-collar service ecosystem with Kazakhstan through a non-binding MOU focused on cross-border vocational training and employment. In context of earlier LOIs, JVs, and a share-based acquisition, execution risk, regulatory approvals, and eventual deal structures remain central. Investors may watch for definitive agreements, concrete project launches in Central Asia, and how these initiatives integrate with prior WaaS and cruise-talent partnerships.

Key Terms

memorandum of understanding, vocational education, due diligence, definitive agreements

4 terms

memorandum of understanding regulatory

"today announced that it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation"

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a formal agreement between two or more parties that outlines their shared intentions and plans to work together. It acts like a handshake in writing, clarifying each side’s roles and expectations before any official contract is signed. For investors, an MOU signals that parties are serious about collaboration, which can influence future business opportunities and potential growth.

vocational education medical

"comprehensive collaboration across vocational education, skills training, workforce and talent services"

Vocational education trains people in practical skills for specific trades or jobs—such as electricians, chefs, healthcare technicians, or software developers—through hands‑on courses, apprenticeships, or short certificate programs rather than broad academic degrees. For investors, it matters because strong vocational systems act like steady supply chains for skilled workers: they can reduce hiring costs, shorten time to productivity, and support growth in industries that rely on specialized labor, affecting company performance and labor-market risk.

due diligence financial

"execution of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence, satisfaction of customary closing conditions"

Due diligence is the careful investigation and analysis someone conducts before making a decision, such as investing money or entering into an agreement. It’s like researching thoroughly before buying a used car to ensure it’s in good condition; this helps prevent surprises and makes informed choices. For investors, due diligence reduces risk by verifying details and understanding what they’re getting into.

definitive agreements regulatory

"subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence"

Definitive agreements are the final, legally binding contracts that set the exact terms of a corporate deal—such as a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or major financing. They matter to investors because signing them turns rough plans into concrete obligations that determine price, timing, required approvals and what happens if the deal falls through; think of them as the signed purchase contract in a house sale that makes the deal official and enforceable.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SHANGHAI, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Youlife Group Inc. ("Youlife" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: YOUL), a leading blue-collar lifetime service provider in China,  today announced that it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation ("MOU") with Innova Tree, a Kazakhstan-based limited liability company with strong local capabilities in vocational education operations and government coordination ("Innova Tree"). Under the MOU, Youlife and Innova Tree will pursue comprehensive collaboration across vocational education, skills training, workforce and talent services, and selected cultural tourism-related labor programs, aiming to drive the bilateral mobility of professional talents between China and Kazakhstan while facilitating a cross-border "training-certification-internship-employment" closed-loop to establish a new paradigm for Youlife's international vocational education ecosystem.

Kazakhstan has a population of approximately 20.5 million and a labor force of about 9.3 million, according to the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan, and is the largest economy in Central Asia, serving as a key gateway for regional economic and labor market integration. Innova Tree is a well-established vocational education and workforce services operator in Kazakhstan, with extensive experience in government and educational institution coordination, program development and delivery across both secondary and higher education levels, and on-the-ground project execution. Leveraging its strong local network and operational capabilities, Innova Tree serves as a key enabler of cross-border cooperation in vocational education and workforce services between China and Kazakhstan.

Mr. Yunlei Wang, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Youlife, commented: "This collaboration represents an important milestone in Youlife's international expansion strategy and our efforts to build a scalable, cross-border vocational education and employment ecosystem. Through our partnership with Innova Tree, we plan to leverage Kazakhstan's strategic geographic position and regional influence in Central Asia to expand into neighboring markets and systematically deploy our integrated 'training, recruitment, outsourcing, post-employment services' platform."

"Following the signing of the MOU, Youlife and Innova Tree intend to establish a joint working group to accelerate project implementation and explore potential joint venture opportunities in China and Kazakhstan to support resource sharing, operational coordination, and brand development. We believe this disciplined, partnership-driven expansion approach reflects Youlife's continued focus on business model innovation and will support higher-quality, more sustainable long-term growth." Mr. Yunlei Wang concluded.

Asher Aubakirov, director of Innova Tree, said: "We are very excited to enter into this UOM with Youlife. Youlife's integrated approach to training, recruitment, talent management, and blue-collar services, combined with their industry expertise and resources, provides strong support for our initiatives. This collaboration is more than just bringing our strengths together – it's a meaningful step toward advancing vocational education and workforce integration between China and Kazakhstan under the Belt and Road Initiative. We believe that working with Youlife will help create a sustainable, replicable model for cross-border vocational education and employment in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia, supporting regional talent development and long-term value for Youlife and Innova Tree."

The UOM reflects Innova Tree's recognition of Youlife's leadership position in China's blue-collar lifetime services sector, particularly in vocational education management, as well as its continued innovation in integrating education with workforce and talent services.

The UOM is non-binding, and the completion of any transaction remains subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements, completion of due diligence, satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and applicable corporate and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the parties will enter into definitive documentation or that any transaction will be completed.

About Youlife Group Inc.

Youlife is a leading global provider of blue-collar lifecycle services, dedicated to modernizing blue-collar employment through data, training, and AI-driven workforce solutions. In the talent services sector, Youlife operates 180 domestic branches and over 10 overseas offices. By partnering with more than 10,000 renowned enterprises worldwide, Youlife provides stable and future-ready workforce infrastructure at scale. Under its "School-Enterprise Cooperation" model, Youlife maintains a nationwide network of vocational schools, including 25 schools and 25 curriculum development programs, covering 37 cities and counties across 16 provinces in China. For more information, please visit: https://ir.youlife.cn/.

About Innova Tree

Innova Tree is a well-established local enterprise headquartered in Almaty, the Republic of Kazakhstan, with deep-rooted capabilities in local market operations, educational institution engagement, and government coordination. Innova Tree possesses extensive on-the-ground resources and a proven track record of effective execution across the Kazakhstan market. Serving as an important bridge cooperation in education and workforce services between China and Kazakhstan, Innova Tree focuses on the organization and delivery of vocational education, technical education, and higher education programs, supporting cross-border collaboration and sustainable talent development initiatives.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future events and the future results of Youlife current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industry in which Youlife operates, as well as the beliefs and assumptions of Youlife's management. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of Youlife's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Youlife's actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Contact

Zhuhong Ruan
youlife.ir@youlanw.com
(86) 13917429808

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/youlife-group-inc-announces-memorandum-of-understanding-for-strategic-cooperation-with-kazakhstans-innova-tree-to-build-cross-border-vocational-education-ecosystem-in-central-asia-302677401.html

SOURCE Youlife Group Inc

FAQ

What did Youlife (YOUL) announce on February 3, 2026 regarding Kazakhstan?

Youlife announced a non-binding MOU with Innova Tree to cooperate on vocational education and workforce services. According to the company, the MOU targets cross-border training, certification, internships and employment linking China and Kazakhstan.

How could the Youlife and Innova Tree MOU affect YOUL's international expansion?

The MOU is intended to accelerate Youlife's expansion into Central Asia through collaborative vocational programs. According to the company, the partnership seeks joint working groups, potential joint ventures, and regional deployment using Kazakhstan as a gateway.

Is the Youlife-Innova Tree agreement legally binding for YOUL shareholders?

No, the agreement is a non-binding memorandum of understanding and is not a completed transaction. According to the company, any definitive deal requires negotiation, due diligence and regulatory approvals before completion.

What specific programs will YOUL and Innova Tree pursue under the MOU?

They will pursue vocational education, skills training, workforce and talent services, plus select cultural-tourism labor programs. According to the company, the aim is a cross-border closed-loop from training to employment.

Does the MOU guarantee a joint venture or operational rollout for Youlife (YOUL)?

No guarantee; the MOU only expresses intent to explore joint venture opportunities and form a working group. According to the company, further steps depend on definitive agreements, due diligence and customary closing conditions.