Mike Kelner

My story

My name is Mikhail Kelner, though most people in the United States know me as Mike. I was born in Bryansk, USSR (now Russia) in 1988.

Thanks to my father's interest in computers, we had a PC (Iskra-1030) at home as early as 1992 — something highly unusual in the post-Soviet world.

At first, I used computers almost entirely for games. Still, growing up around technology sparked a curiosity that eventually became both my profession and my hobby.

In 2002, I joined the developers of the unofficial “Russian League” patch for the FIFA Soccer series. For a few years, game modding became my main hobby.

After graduating from high school, I began working as a freelance web designer. What started as a way to earn pocket money became the beginning of a long career in digital technology.

While studying at Bryansk State Technical University, I met Kristina. We married in 2006 and have continued building our life together ever since.

At the end of 2006, I began my first full-time role as a software engineer, officially turning a lifelong interest in computers into a career.

In 2010, my friend Hermann and I founded Wide-Media, where we created our own internet projects and built websites for clients. I learned a lot about product ownership, journalism, digital marketing and client relationships.

In 2013, my wife, our child, and I immigrated to Israel. Adapting to a new country was not always easy, but it became one of the most memorable chapters of my life.

In 2017, we began another chapter in the United States. We first settled in New Jersey before relocating to Texas in the summer of 2019.

From 2017 through 2025, I worked with Phone.com — first as a software engineer, later as Director of Software Engineering, and eventually left full-time employment to focus on my own projects.

In 2022, I co-founded Oktona, a technology and creative company. We offer software development, design, and marketing services while also creating projects of our own.

Outside of work, I enjoy photography, video production, chess, traveling, and target practice. I also like playing video games from time to time. Travel has become one of my greatest interests, and I have visited all 48 contiguous U.S. states.

My journey has taken me across countries, industries, and countless projects — but the motivation remains the same: stay curious, keep learning, and create things that matter.

Random facts

I am an FAA-licensed commercial drone pilot, and learning about the rules of aviation was surprisingly interesting.

As a kid, I played (and lost) an official chess game against future World Chess Championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi.

After moving to the U.S., it took me nine years to visit all of the lower 48 states.

I speak three languages: English, Russian, and enough Hebrew to mention it here.

My YouTube channels have over 40 million views, but a dozen viral Shorts did most of the work — not the other 500 videos.

My free-to-use images on Pixabay have been downloaded more than 650,000 times.

In school, I actively rebelled against rules like the dress code and mandatory janitorial "duty."

I did not have any pets as a child, but when my wife and I got our own place, the first thing we did was get a cat.

I wanted to live in Texas ever since I became a fan of "King of the Hill" many years ago. And here I am.

My wife and I got married when we were 18, and in 2026, we celebrated our 20th anniversary.

I enjoy somewhat controversial drinks, such as peated whisky and Lapsang Souchong (smoked tea).

Bringing home useful souvenirs from trips and events is how I ended up with more than 150 t-shirts.

The internet is what I know

I've spent most of my professional life building things for the internet. Over the past 20 years, I've worked on websites, software, web services, design, user interfaces, and system architecture. I like taking an idea that is still a little rough, figuring out what it actually needs, and turning it into something useful.

Today, my work at OKTONA involves software development, media, and online business, but the underlying challenge is usually the same: understanding how people use the internet and finding practical ways to make it work better for them.

Projects in Oktona

VOSTORQ

VOSTORQ is a communication platform built around a simple idea: important context should form where the discussion takes place.

The Ellis Feed

The Ellis Feed is a local news website for Ellis County, Texas. It reflects my passion for local media and my desire to stay involved in the community after Texas became my new home.

Oktona News Platform

The Oktona News Platform enables teams to create, manage, and distribute content across multiple platforms from a single system.

AmJourney

AmJourney turns real-world travel into collectible achievements, allowing users to track visits to cities, landmarks, museums, and national parks across the United States.

My pet projects

Orange Dragonfly

An open-source TypeScript REST API framework based on my experience building APIs and my view of what a minimal yet practical framework should provide.

Tablin

Tablin is a card game in which players capture cards by matching their values or combining numbers. I used to play it with my grandparents.

Zebra Sharing System

An open-source tool for securely exchanging sensitive data. I created it after seeing people share passwords and other sensitive information by email and through messaging apps.