The Young Innovator Transforming Food with Tech Strategies
Written on
Chapter 1: The Rise of a Young Entrepreneur
What were you up to at fifteen? Perhaps indulging in video games, working at a fast-food joint, or contemplating your future as an entrepreneur? For Ben Pasternak, it was not just a dream; he was on a path to becoming a successful entrepreneur. At just fourteen, he developed two iOS games that quickly became hits, dominating app store rankings. By fifteen, he made the bold decision to leave school in Sydney, Australia, relocating to New York City to pitch to venture capitalists (VCs).
Since then, he has founded and sold multiple startups, breaking records as the youngest tech entrepreneur to secure VC funding in Silicon Valley. Major tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Apple have all shown interest in him, and he is currently at the helm of what he refers to as the "Tesla of Chicken." His journey is truly inspiring and warrants a closer look.
Chapter 2: Breaking the Mold in Silicon Valley
"People often doubt me, saying there are countless apps out there, questioning the likelihood of my success simply because I’m just a fifteen-year-old." — Ben Pasternak
Ben has always had a knack for technology and innovation. At fourteen, he became the first person globally to purchase the iPad Air, using his classroom time to develop apps. In late 2014, he launched his debut app, "Impossible Rush," a brain teaser that outperformed popular apps like Tinder and Twitter in the Apple store.
Following the app's success, he received invitations for internships at Google and Facebook, along with a scholarship to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference. During this time, he met filmmaker Chris Smith, who had insights into the tech world and had been following Ben's story in the media. Encouraged by Chris, Ben faced the tough task of persuading his parents to let him drop out of school and move to the U.S.
Section 2.1: The Challenge of Convincing His Parents
Ben's parents, Anna and Mark, were supportive of his pursuits but wanted him to finish high school and attend university before diving into entrepreneurial ventures. Eventually, he persuaded them to let him leave school with the condition that he would independently secure funding for his new app.
The concept behind this new venture was to compete with eBay through a social networking app named Flogg, designed for young users to buy and sell items. This idea stemmed from observing his friends using Facebook for transactions instead of eBay. "Facebook wasn’t really prioritizing user experience, which presented a significant opportunity for us," he explained.
Section 2.2: Surprising Success in Funding
To his parents' astonishment, Ben successfully raised substantial funds for Flogg from various venture capital firms, including Binary Capital and Greylock. This financial backing enabled him to move to New York City. His father expressed mixed feelings, remarking, "Ben Pasternak is now a high school dropout, which isn't what I had envisioned."
Despite being just sixteen, Ben faced typical teenage challenges, such as losing his debit card and needing parental approval for a replacement. Yet, he was already navigating the world of venture capital independently. "Once, he asked us for $30,000 to promote the app, and I said no. He managed to find another kid who funded him. I was left wondering if that kid's parents knew what he was doing," Mark shared.
Flogg became a considerable success, and upon turning sixteen in 2016, Ben was recognized in TIME's list of 30 most influential teens alongside notable figures like Kylie Jenner and Jaden Smith.
Chapter 3: Transitioning from Tech to Food
"I was often surrounded by VCs who insisted that connecting people was the best way to make a significant impact. Yet, I've come to realize that this can be a toxic approach." — Ben Pasternak
Ben didn’t stop at Flogg; he launched another app called Monkey in November 2016, which attracted $2 million in venture capital. Marketed as the Chatroulette for video calls, it garnered 3 million users, leading to over 1 billion calls before being acquired by a competing app, HOLLA.
Recognizing the explosive growth of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, Ben sought to apply his tech expertise to this expanding industry. He secured $7 million in funding from prominent investors, including Bob Pittman, Neil Parikh, and John Maloney, alongside McCain Foods, which brought valuable food production expertise.
Chapter 4: NUGGS - The "Tesla of Chicken"
Ben aimed to make NUGGS a cool product, deliberately avoiding terms like "vegan" or "plant-based," believing they deterred potential consumers. Instead, he preferred the phrase "clean meat."
"I view us as a nutrition company operating on a software framework. This approach yields two key outcomes: continuous iteration and scalability, which is crucial for reaching billions of consumers." — Ben Pasternak
Innovatively, Ben applied his tech knowledge to launch NUGGS as if it were a software company. Similar to how apps receive updates, NUGGS adapts its offerings based on consumer feedback, complete with release notes for each product iteration. He even refers to his customers as "NUGGS users."
"By the time we reach version 9.6, people will proudly say they tried version 1.3. A quirky boast, but why not?"
NUGGS emphasizes user experience at every interaction point, with packaging that reflects tech influences. One side reads, "Welcome to the Simulation," while the other states, "Download Complete - To finish your installation, place your NUGGS in the freezer."
In 2020, NUGGS secured an additional $4.1 million in funding from notable investors such as Alexis Ohanian and Walter Robb, prompting a rebranding to Simulate to facilitate growth beyond chicken nuggets into a wider array of competitive products.
Ben Pasternak's entrepreneurial journey is a remarkable tale of innovation, courage, and adaptability. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike. While he may not be a household name yet, he is certainly one to watch.
If you enjoyed this exploration of Ben Pasternak's story, consider signing up for my free newsletter for more insights and inspiring tales.