Filmed live at Consensus 2025 in Toronto, APX Lending CEO Andrei Poliakov sat down with Techstars’ Sunil Sharma—our first investor—to talk about early-stage crypto investing, venture capital in Canada, and what’s next for the ecosystem.

Note: The video was recorded on the go, using just a phone in hand to keep things real and in the moment.

A Look Back: The First Investor in APX Lending

Andrei Poliakov (APX Lending):
We’re here at Consensus 2025, and I’m joined by Sunil Sharma from Techstars—who also happens to be our first investor. Sunil wrote the very first check into APX Lending back in 2023.

Sunil Sharma (Techstars):
First off, I’m proud of you, Andrei. I’ve been watching the growth, the headlines, and everything you’re doing with APX Lending. It makes me smile. That’s exactly why I backed you—you’re the kind of founder that’s backable.

You had already built a solid company before with Coinberry, which was a leader in the Canadian crypto space. You understood the regulatory environment, and that's rare. Moving that expertise into APX Lending just made sense. It was a bet worth taking—and it’s paying off.

Building in Canada: Why Crypto Startups Need Support

Andrei:
Tell us what’s next with Techstars and what you’re seeing in venture capital right now.

Sunil:
We had a great run in Toronto—over 100 investments just from my fund, and more than 250 Techstars-backed companies across Canada. We’ve been one of the most active early-stage investors in the country.

The fund’s taken a short pause, but I’m actively considering bringing it back. In the meantime, I’m working closely with several portfolio companies and staying engaged with the startup scene.

What Stood Out at Consensus 2025

Andrei:
Anything exciting that’s stood out to you at Consensus?

Sunil:
I love seeing global, best-in-class organizations gathering here in Toronto. The international presence this year is striking. We’re not just seeing the usual crowd—it’s fresh, it’s diverse, and it’s happening on our home turf. It’s unfortunate that the event is heading to Miami after this, but hopefully we’ll find a way to keep this momentum going in Canada.

Closing Thoughts: Supporting Crypto Lending Innovation

Sunil:
It’s always been tough to raise capital in Canada, especially for crypto and blockchain startups. That’s why early-stage VCs play such an important role. I’m glad I got to be part of APX Lending’s journey early on.

Watch the full video above to hear directly from Andrei and Sunil on how APX Lending started, what makes it unique in the crypto lending market, and why regulatory clarity is a competitive edge in Canada and beyond.

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