Ben Pasternak was pitching his second business to venture capitalists by the time most high school students were selecting electives. His estimated $22 million net worth at the young age of 25 is a testament to both his technical prowess and his capacity for quick recovery from setbacks. He is more than just a success story; he is a model of how unwavering ambition and strategic acumen can produce long-term value.
Innocently, Pasternak’s journey started in a Sydney classroom. He created Impossible Rush, a straightforward yet engrossing color-based game, when he was fourteen years old and bored during science class. It attracted the interest of both venture capitalists and tech insiders as it swiftly rose up the App Store charts. A New York filmmaker offered to put him in touch with investors that same year. In a matter of months, the adolescent found himself in San Francisco, seated across from supporters who ultimately provided him with $500,000 in seed money.
Ben Pasternak — Personal and Career Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Pasternak |
| Date of Birth | September 6, 1999 |
| Age | 25 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Residence | SoHo, New York City, USA |
| Education | Reddam House, Moriah College (left at 15) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, CEO |
| Known For | Founder of SIMULATE, Monkey, Flogg |
| Current Role | CEO and Co-founder, SIMULATE |
| Notable Product | NUGGS – Plant-based chicken nugget alternative |
| Estimated Net Worth | $22 million (2024) |
| Company Valuation | SIMULATE valued at $250 million |
Soon after, he relocated to New York and started Flogg, a teen-focused social commerce app. The app failed in spite of early attention. However, Pasternak adjusted rather than ran away. With just $200,000 in fresh capital, most of which he obtained by cold calling, he created the viral video-chat platform Monkey. The app was ranked #1 in the App Store and had over 20 million users. Monkey, which was eventually purchased by a Chinese company in 2018, was his first notable success.
This type of rapid iteration is remarkably similar to the way software developers improve apps: they release them early, get user feedback, and keep improving. Pasternak used the same strategy for his third business, SIMULATE, a food technology firm that develops plant-based meat substitutes. Its main offering, NUGGS, is a tech-inspired twist on the classic chicken nugget. Pasternak wanted to question conventions without lecturing with the tagline “Kills you slower,” which felt particularly appropriate for younger, cynical customers.
The company has a very bold and unambiguous mission: to improve the food system through data, iteration, and consumer insight. SIMULATE is revolutionizing the development, branding, and distribution of food, not just creating vegan cuisine. Investors are paying attention. Supported by Chris Sacca, McCain Foods, Jay-Z, and Alexis Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six, the company has raised over $57 million and is currently valued at over $250 million. These investments have greatly increased Pasternak’s net worth, which is indicative of his growing significance in the food technology industry.
SIMULATE’s branding has become especially inventive by utilizing meme-driven marketing and cultural relevance. Pasternak’s messaging is purposefully rebellious, in contrast to legacy brands that emphasize tradition or nutrition. Digital natives find the brand especially appealing because of his non-preachy attitude and willingness to laugh at the ridiculousness of contemporary consumerism. Because of Pasternak’s exceptional ability to combine technology and culture, the company has grown at a substantially faster rate than traditional food startups.
Regarding new developments, Pasternak’s ascent is particularly consistent with a broader trend of Gen Z entrepreneurs reinventing how companies interact with customers, scale, and communicate. His strategy is also very effective; it minimizes traditional overhead by utilizing feedback loops akin to those in software development and concentrating on direct-to-consumer models. This approach has been especially helpful in rapidly adjusting to changing consumer preferences and dietary trends.
His narrative is also relevant to other industries. Pasternak was already functioning within a framework that embraced speed, innovation, and consumer-centric design during the pandemic, as digital transformation accelerated across sectors. He has a mindset that prioritizes flexibility over perfection, which has made him incredibly dependable even in high-pressure situations.
Pasternak, who has lived on his own in New York since he was sixteen, was exposed to high-stakes situations at a young age. This maturity has resulted in a grounded yet innovative business style. He has established a business that functions more like a tech startup than a food manufacturer by utilizing agile development cycles and strategic partnerships.
His professional trajectory is similar to that of other young business owners like Ryan Hickman and Moziah Bridges, whose endeavors also attracted national notice at remarkably young ages. But what distinguishes Pasternak is his emphasis on systemic change, whether it be via digital tools or food. He creates systems as well as businesses. In a time when consumers are increasingly examining the sustainability, ethics, and transparency of the brands they support, that systemic mindset is especially beneficial.
Pasternak and his team will need to openly address the alleged contract disputes with Black creators that have sparked criticism of SIMULATE in recent months. Although this has damaged the company’s otherwise excellent reputation, how they react could either strengthen or weaken the trust that has been established. As of right now, Pasternak’s dedication to ongoing development indicates that the upcoming update will include accountability.
