Startups, Sparks and Serendipity
Startups, Sparks and Serendipity
Mike Mahlkow and Max Elster
Startups, Sparks and Serendipity is a product of two good friends talking about issues they are passionate about, namely the Startup world, Self-Improvement and life-altering epiphanies. Due to the interesting combination of Max being very deeply integrated in the European Startup scene and Mike having shifted his focus towards the US in recent years, the two combine the best practices and learnings from Silicon Valley with those of Berlin and Zurich. The conversations are unfiltered and interesting for people interested in entrepreneurship and personal growth.
034 - We changed the channel - 2 Minute Update
Feel free to check our podcast here now:  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6b9YeL5VJGyPA5s3bICmgF Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/feed-your-brain-podcast/id1169436412 or on any of your social channels. 
Mar 15, 2022
2 min
033 - Finding Your Personal Mission Statement
Hey listeners, Mike and I talk about the value of finding your personal mission statement and how it can help you with staying focused on the things that actually drive value and happiness for you personally - especially when building companies and products. We'd be glad to get your feedback and hear about strategies and methodologies of you finding your personal mission statement. Let us know via DMs or on Linkedin/Twitter how you found your vision/purpose! Looking forward to hearing from you. Max and Mike
Jul 7, 2021
25 min
032 - Should we specialize or be a generalist?
Mike and Max wanted to talk about a topic that has been on our minds for quite some time now: Shall we be Generalists, Specialists or generalized specialist or specialized generalists? ;)  We've conducted an episode where we combine our thoughts with science and a few books that have been written about that topic.  If you like it, please subscribe and give us a review on iTunes or any other channel. We'd love to get your feedback! If you also like to hear us interviewing people, please also follow our interview-focused podcast called 'Feed Your Brain'.
Feb 24, 2021
22 min
031 - A wine app raises 155m, Spotify's patent to analyze user's voice, Apple and Cars and Global Tax for Tech Companies
Hello to all listeners!  Mike and I have once again sat down together to talk about various topics:  Wine-app Vivino raises 155m round - what's special about the app and the industry? Spotify was granted a patent for a technology that analyzes listeners’ voice and background noise to suggest content based on their mood, gender, age, accent, or even social setting Global tax for tech companies upcoming? The role of social media is more present than ever at this point in time (not just in global politics..)  Apple and cars? Follow us on Twitter, Linkedin and all other platforms @maxelster and @mikemahlkow. 
Feb 14, 2021
44 min
030 - Nikolaus Volk, CEO of Kyte: Uber for Rental Cars, Mobility, Machine Learning at Kyte, Studying at Stanford
Nikolaus Volk is the Founder and CEO of Kyte, a San-Francisco based Startup that delivers rental cars to your home. They help everyone to access rental cars with the simplicity of Uber.  A few facts about Nik:  He studied at Stanford and TU Munich He worked at Uber for a few years  Kyte raised 9m for their expansion Offices in Munich and San Francisco We talked about:  The current mobility market and delivering an Uber for rental cars to the US market  Importance of Machine Learning at Kyte  Studying at Stanford vs. Studying in Germany Hiring the right people  In case you like it, feel free to subscribe. :) 
Feb 8, 2021
56 min
029 - What we can learn from AirBnB
Mike and Max talked about the early story of AirBnB and what startups and aspiring entrepreneurs can learn from the story itself.  Please subscribe and reach out to us on different channels. We also host Clubhouse irregularly now. Feel free to follow us there ;)  Check out The Generalist. 
Jan 23, 2021
40 min
028 - Semir Jahic from Clari talks about sales processes, differences Europe vs. US and finding the right startup to work for
This week we sat down with Semir Jahic, the lead Sales Engineer at Clari, to talk about several topics including the rigour around sales processes in America and what impact it is having on European firms. We discuss in detail the difference in sales and implementation of processes in American and European businesses. Next, we got into how to pick a startup to work for, and what filters should be applied in identifying the right startup. These filters include the founder and executive team, investors, the stage the company is in, a sense of longevity, product/market fit and personal opportunity. You should also look at who you’ll be working with on a daily basis and main points of contact including internal and external stakeholders, what you’ll be doing on a daily basis, and what you can contribute to the company. This episode was great and we shared so much. Looking forward to more in 2021. Recommendations: To read: What it takes for the road to IPO by Semir Jahic Clari Factfullness by Hans Rosling Follow Semir on Linkedin Follow Mike on Linkedin Follow Max on Linkedin
Jan 3, 2021
52 min
027 - Startup News Flash, Virtual Headquarter Startups, Learning New Skills
This week we sat down to talk about trends in the tech startup industry and introduce a new segment into our weekly podcast. We think the “News Flash” will give listeners new insights into the industry at a surface level as something to talk about with friends and colleagues. We also talk about “virtual headquarters” and how working from home might change in the coming years such as gamification of the workplace. We then talk about skills we would like to gain and why, as well as lists we keep, why, and when we use them. We’re sure this short episode will have some interesting talking points and we look forward to the coming weeks with more interesting topics and guests! Recommendations: To read: The Psychology of Design: https://growth.design/psychology/ Design of Everyday Things: https://www.goodreads.com/ro/book/show/23209666-the-design-of-everyday-things Notion template for structuring book notes Follow Mike on Linkedin Follow Max on Linkedin
Dec 13, 2020
42 min
026 - Homeoffice Setup and Socialising now, Startup Hubs, New Books to read
This week, we sat down to discuss things that help us get through the work day with comfort. Working from home every day can be quite taxing. We all deal with it in different ways. In this episode we share some of the things that make our home office a bit more cozy and effective such as a decent webcam, headphones, chairs and backdrops. We then dive into some discussion on socializing from home. However difficult it is, there are still online events with virtual stages. Even with this current environment, is it enough, or do we need more? Alternatively, are startup hubs like San Francisco and Berlin still relevant? Can someone start a successful business with the right support from other cities?  This week we share some interesting thoughts on productivity and give some interesting recommendations for your listening and reading pleasure. Recommendations: To listen: Lane 8 Sunrise Set in Grand Lake Colorado To read: Life Spend: Why we Age and Why we Don’t Have To  by David Sinclair To use for Notion: Ali Abdaal Book Notes Template Persons of the Week: Dave Gerhardt Follow Mike on Linkedin Follow Max on Linkedin
Dec 6, 2020
33 min
025 - Interview with Sameday Testing Founder Felix Huettenbach: Building a company around COVID tests, spending time in a monastery and tips on building a successful business
Today we sat down with the founder of Sameday Testing, Felix Huettenbach. We had a great conversation exploring his past roles and experiences including living in a monastery, founding a company at college at 18, and through the time until now where he has built a Covid-19 business that offers quick PCR testing in LA and in Washington D.C. We discuss important topics related to creating a business, how failure can lead to success, and how to build an effective business structure from an idea that solves a unique problem. This episode is valuable for anyone who is considering building a business, who wants to test ideas, but also, for someone who is looking for answers. Sometimes you must reach out to someone. Other times, you have to just think for yourself. Recommendations: Sameday Testing To Read: Blitzscaling by Reid Hoffman Disciplined Entrepreneurship: 24 Steps to a Successful Startup by Bill Aulet Follow Felix on Linkedin Follow Mike on Linkedin Follow Max on Linkedin
Nov 28, 2020
50 min
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