Mo Shaikh and a team of former Aptos executives are launching Maximum Frequency Ventures, a $50 million fund backing early-stage crypto startups with deep operational support.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Mo Shaikh, cofounder of Aptos Labs, unveiled Maximum Frequency Ventures (MFV) with $50 million in funding.
- The firm focuses on Web3 infrastructure, consumer crypto, and AI-native networks, particularly across Asia.
- MFV brings a unique approach, offering co-founder-like involvement and hands-on incubation for startups.
- The fund already deployed $5 million across six startups from Texas to South Korea.
What Happened?
Mo Shaikh, who helped launch Aptos Labs after Meta’s crypto exit, has announced a new $50 million fund called Maximum Frequency Ventures. Backed by family offices and personal capital from its founders, MFV will offer more than just money to Web3 startups. It promises operational expertise and close collaboration from day one.
— Mo Shaikh (@moshaikhs) October 14, 2025
Aptos Founders Double Down on Crypto Ambitions
Aptos Labs, a prominent blockchain firm that emerged from Meta’s defunct Diem project, continues to leave its mark on the crypto world. Now, its cofounder Mo Shaikh and three early executives are channeling their experience into a bold new venture capital initiative: Maximum Frequency Ventures.
MFV’s $50 million fund is targeting builders with ambition, aiming to support projects in Web3 infrastructure, consumer applications, and AI-integrated crypto networks. The fund is especially eyeing opportunities across Asia, tapping into a region where innovation and crypto adoption are rapidly expanding.
The founding team includes:
- Mo Shaikh, former CEO of Aptos Labs.
- Neil Harounian, Aptos’s first hire and head of ecosystem.
- Alexandre Tang, former head of APAC institutions.
- Jerome Ong, ex-APAC ecosystem lead.
Shaikh explained that MFV aims to be the fund he and his team wished they had when they were building Aptos:
More Than a VC Check
MFV differentiates itself by acting like a hybrid of venture fund, accelerator, and startup studio. Its model includes:
- Founder residencies
- 12-week product sprints
- Deep involvement in scaling from prototype to adoption
Instead of simply providing capital, MFV’s team commits operational muscle to help startups grow. “Working with MFV is less like having an investor and more like gaining a co-founder,” Shaikh said.
The team has already invested $5 million into six companies, with founders based in Texas, Abu Dhabi, and South Korea. While exact startup names weren’t disclosed, MFV’s early activity reflects its global scope and diverse network.
Operator-Led Capital Over Passive Money
The venture landscape has tightened in 2025. Despite a rise in crypto prices, VC funding has slowed, with total investments dropping 55 percent from Q1 to Q2, according to Pitchbook. But MFV believes its operator-led approach will outshine traditional passive VC models.
“Our goal is to prove that operator-led capital outperforms passive capital in crypto,” Shaikh wrote.
Backed by Global Capital
MFV is supported by family offices in the U.S., East Asia, and Southeast Asia. The firm said half its limited partners (LPs) and over half of its current portfolio have roots in Asia. The founders themselves have also contributed financially, showing strong belief in the venture. “We do have skin in the game,” Shaikh confirmed.
The name “Maximum Frequency” is more than branding. It’s a mindset. As Shaikh put it bluntly, “It kind of takes that level of grind and focus to really be a founder.” His cofounder Neil Harounian added, “There aren’t really any funds in crypto that incubate.”
SQ Magazine’s Takeaway
I love this move by the Aptos crew. It’s not just another crypto fund, it’s a response to the real struggles early-stage founders face. As someone who follows Web3 closely, this feels like a fund built by builders, for builders. The hands-on, co-founder-level support is exactly what most crypto VCs are missing. If you’re a startup grinding it out in the trenches, this could be the kind of partner you dream of. They’ve got the resume, the capital, and now, the hustle to match.
