The internet has created opportunities for young entrepreneurs that would have been almost unimaginable a generation ago. One of the most well-known examples is Australian entrepreneur Ben Pasternak, who began building mobile apps while he was still a teenager.

As a high school student, Pasternak taught himself to code and released several apps, including the viral game Impossible Rush, which amassed millions of downloads and briefly topped app charts in dozens of countries. His early success attracted attention from investors and technology leaders, eventually leading him to move to New York to pursue entrepreneurship full time.

Rather than following the traditional university path, Pasternak launched multiple startups at a remarkably young age. His best-known venture, Monkey, introduced a platform that randomly connected teenagers for short video chats. The app quickly gained millions of users and became one of the fastest-growing social networking apps among young people.

In 2018, Monkey was acquired by HOLLA Group. Although the financial terms of the acquisition were not publicly disclosed, the deal cemented Pasternak’s reputation as one of the most successful young founders of his generation.

Over the years, Pasternak has continued launching new technology ventures, demonstrating both the opportunities and challenges of startup life. Like many entrepreneurs, not every project achieved lasting success, but his career illustrates how quickly talented developers can build products that reach millions of users in the digital age.