| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Pasternak |
| Date of Birth | September 6, 1999 (Age 25) |
| Birthplace | Sydney, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Education | Moriah College, Reddam House (dropped out at 15) |
| Residence | SoHo, New York City |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Founder of SIMULATE (NUGGS); Creator of Monkey and Flogg |
| Company Valuation | SIMULATE valued at over $250 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | Estimated between $13 million and $22 million as of 2025 |
| Official Source | Forbes Profile – Ben Pasternak |
Ben Pasternak had already obtained his first million dollars by the time the majority of his peers were finishing their high school exams. That initial achievement has since grown into a net worth of between $13 million and $22 million, which is especially remarkable given his age and unusual career path. He changed the way that many people now view young people in business by quitting school at the age of 15 and placing his money on a daring idea rather than a degree.
His financial success can be attributed to SIMULATE, the food technology company that created NUGGS, a plant-based substitute for conventional chicken nuggets. Investors and customers were drawn to NUGGS because of its strong digital aesthetic and science-meets-culture tone at launch. The brand’s identity is designed to appeal to young consumers who are becoming more conscious of sustainability, ethics, and health issues. It is purposefully playful while maintaining a scientific foundation. Pasternak established a particularly creative niche for itself in the food industry by incorporating tech-style branding.
With the help of celebrities like Chris Sacca, Jay-Z, and Alexis Ohanian, SIMULATE has raised more than $57 million in venture capital. These well-known supporters show faith in Pasternak’s vision in addition to being a mark of credibility. It is incredibly evident how this young entrepreneur turned a single food product into a startup empire, as SIMULATE is currently valued at over $250 million and has retail agreements with chains like Target and Sam’s Club.
Pasternak had already demonstrated his tech instincts prior to SIMULATE. He co-created Impossible Rush, a game he wrote in science class when he was just 14 years old, and it momentarily topped apps like Tinder in the App Store. Early exposure to virality brought him offers from Google and Facebook, which he famously turned down in favor of starting the social media platform Flogg, which connects Gen Z buyers and sellers. Pasternak swiftly changed course and introduced Monkey, a teen-focused video chat app, when Flogg’s momentum slowed. Over 20 million users and 20 billion calls had been made by Monkey by the time it was purchased in 2018, briefly holding the top spot on the U.S. App Store. Even though they weren’t billion-dollar exits, each of these early businesses helped him hone his intuition and lay the groundwork for SIMULATE.
His success is based on deliberate, well-defined choices. Pasternak stayed clear of the typical mistakes that many young founders make by utilizing early momentum, concentrating on product-market fit, and relating to the cultural energy of his generation. Through smart product development and brand positioning, he has subtly created long-lasting traction rather than going overboard or chasing buzz.
In contrast, his private life is modest. He stays away from the glitzy displays that come with living in SoHo. There are no viral TikToks of expensive cars or cryptocurrency claims, only well-executed plans and a calm assurance that betrays long-term planning. That tone is eerily reminiscent of founders who have chosen to keep the focus on their businesses rather than on themselves, such as Daniel Ek or Brian Chesky.
As SIMULATE broadens its product line beyond NUGGS, Pasternak has recently come back into the spotlight. The company’s current positioning as a food technology platform suggests that it may have goals far beyond frozen snacks in the future. AI-optimized nutrition, lab-grown meats, or completely new delivery methods—the infrastructure and branding already in place point to scalability. His capacity to create cultural traction around seemingly commonplace products, such as nuggets, has been incredibly successful in changing how people buy.
Pasternak’s story serves as an especially useful illustration of resilience and adaptability in the context of venture-backed entrepreneurship. He has shown consistency, in contrast to many young tech founders who either fade or burn out after one hit. Each company—Flogg, Monkey, and SIMULATE—represented a step forward in terms of both vision and revenue. Sharper focus, increased funding, and increased valuation have all resulted from each pivot.
It’s also important to consider the wider societal impact. Pasternak symbolizes a change in the way that success is evaluated. He built something worthwhile without waiting for approval, credentials, or institutional support. Early on, he realized that cultural fluency, capital, and code access could be more important than conventional routes. A generation of young developers and creators has already been motivated by his path to start earlier, have bigger dreams, and challenge conventional wisdom.
SIMULATE has expanded considerably more quickly than rivals in the alternative protein market thanks to strategic alliances and culturally sensitive messaging. The startup’s approach to the market is highly adaptable due to its aesthetic, which is more reminiscent of streetwear brands than traditional food giants. It sells lifestyle just as much as food, and because of this positioning, it is very effective at turning inquisitive first-time buyers into loyal ones.
The development of SIMULATE is probably going to be a major factor in Pasternak’s increasing wealth in the years to come. However, his ability to strike a careful balance between stability and innovation will be just as crucial. He will continue to lead with vision and surround himself with seasoned operators, a combination that has already shown itself to be incredibly resilient, if history is any indication.
