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Ben Pasternak

Ben Pasternak is an Australian technology entrepreneur known for founding and co-founding consumer internet and food-tech startups.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ben Pasternak (born September 6, 1999) is an Australian technology entrepreneur. He first gained attention for mobile apps such as Impossible Rush, Flogg, and Monkey, and later became best known as a co-founder of Simulate, the company behind the plant-based nugget product NUGGS.

Early life and background

Ben Pasternak was born in Sydney, Australia, on September 6, 1999. He is described as an Australian technology entrepreneur.

Early apps and startups

Pasternak first gained attention through mobile apps and startups, including Impossible Rush, Flogg, and Monkey. Monkey was a social networking app that enabled teenagers to video chat with like-minded people.

Simulate and NUGGS

Pasternak later co-founded Simulate, a food technology company in the United States. The company became known for NUGGS, a plant-based chicken nugget product.

Later ventures

Pasternak also founded Believe, a cryptocurrency project that has been involved in investor litigation. This added to his profile as a controversial and high-profile internet entrepreneur.

Key facts

  • Pasternak is an Australian technology entrepreneur born in 1999.
  • He founded the mobile game Impossible Rush before becoming widely known in startup circles.
  • He founded Flogg, a social shopping app, and later Monkey, a teen video-chat app.
  • He is best known as a co-founder of Simulate, a U.S. food technology company.
  • Simulate’s signature product is NUGGS, a plant-based chicken nugget product.
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Canadian context

Ben Pasternak’s ventures, especially Simulate, intersect with Canadian readers through the plant-based food sector and cross-border startup and investment coverage. One search result also notes backing from Canadian food company McCain Foods for an earlier stage of Simulate’s development.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ben Pasternak?
Ben Pasternak is an Australian technology entrepreneur known for founding consumer apps and co-founding Simulate, a food technology company.
What is Ben Pasternak best known for?
He is best known as a co-founder of Simulate and for earlier apps including Monkey and Flogg.
When was Ben Pasternak born?
He was born on September 6, 1999.
Where is Ben Pasternak from?
He was born in Sydney, Australia.
What is Monkey?
Monkey was a social networking app founded by Pasternak that let teenagers video chat with people with similar interests.
What is Simulate?
Simulate is a U.S. food technology company co-founded by Pasternak and known for its plant-based nugget product NUGGS.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Pasternak
    Supports: Birth date, Australian nationality, co-founding Simulate, founding Monkey, and involvement with Believe.
  2. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Pasternak
    Supports: Australian technology entrepreneur, co-founder of Simulate, and founder of Monkey.
  3. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Ben+Pasternak/447350
    Supports: Australian technology entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Simulate, and description of Monkey.
  4. Shenzhen Daily — http://www.szdaily.com/content/2019-11/27/content_22661226.htm
    Supports: Simulate/NUGGS description and Canadian food giant McCain Foods as a lead investor.
  5. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28935437
    Supports: Identity as Australian technology entrepreneur born in 1999.