Mike Mahlkow

Mike Mahlkow

Serial tech entrepreneur, angel investor, and CEO of Fastgen

mikemahlkow

New York, New York

San Francisco, California

Joined December 2025

mikemahlkow.com

councils.forbes.com

ycombinator.com

ycombinator.com

Network

14.6K connections

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Summary

Mike Mahlkow is a highly successful serial tech entrepreneur, having co-founded two Y Combinator-backed companies, Fastgen and Blair. Fastgen, his current venture, focuses on low-code backend development, while Blair previously addressed student financing with over $100M raised. ycombinator+3

He is also an active angel investor, with over 40 investments, demonstrating a commitment to supporting new ventures within the startup ecosystem. mikemahlkow+2

Mike's career journey includes valuable experience in high-growth tech companies like Stripe (Growth) and Uber (Operations and Business Development), providing him with a strong foundation in scaling and team dynamics. alejandrocremades

Originally from Germany, Mike's entrepreneurial drive led him to Silicon Valley, drawn by its dynamic startup culture, and he brings a disciplined, team-oriented, and competitive mindset from his background in Olympic handball. alejandrocremades

Through his personal blog on Medium, Mike shares insights on startups, productivity, and life, often exploring themes like structured planning, creativity, and building personal frameworks for success. medium+1

Work

Education

Writing

Subjectively rough, objectively great — 2021 review and 2022 outlook

February 15, 2022

A review of 2021 and outlook for 2022, reflecting on a turbulent year and lessons learned.

Circles of competition

An article discussing how to leverage hubs and competition for success, particularly for ambitious individuals.

This might be the best time of your life

A reflection on using challenging times for personal growth, whether in chaos or stillness.

Multiple layers of beauty

An article contemplating the multifaceted nature of beauty, referencing Francis Bacon.

Outsourcing brain capacity by using lists

February 1, 2019

Discusses how using lists can help overcome the brain's limited computing power to improve productivity.

Structured planning and meta-skills

December 18, 2018

Explores how structured planning and improving meta-skills can enhance leverage and help achieve goals.

Everyone wants to be creative, but no one has the time for it

An essay on the importance of creativity for innovation and human creation, and the challenges of making time for it.

How abstract concepts can foster your strategies for success

Part of a series on building a life framework, focusing on leveraging abstract concepts for success strategies.

A hidden superpower — How to be a better thinker

January 31, 2018

The second part of a series on building a life framework, exploring techniques to improve thinking skills.

Building a framework for my life

January 19, 2018

An introduction to an ambitious project about framing the future of one's life.

Hobbies

Mike is a bookworm, video game nerd, and sports enthusiast, with a past in Olympic handball. mikemahlkow+1

Notes

MAMattia Astorisaid

MMMike Mahlkow

is one of the most impressive founders they've met from Y-Combinator.

Oct 28, 2025

MMMike Mahlkow

is one of the most active and helpful angel investors they've worked with.

Sep 9, 2025