*”The Gates Legacy Under Siege: Can Phoebe Shatter Expectations with Phia?”*

‘I have a chip on my shoulder.’ Phoebe Gates wants her $185 million AI startup Phia to succeed with ‘no ties to my privilege or my last name’

Phoebe Gates wants to build her AI shopping company while keeping one thing out of her pitch deck: her last name. The 23-year-old youngest daughter of billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates and philanthropist Melinda French Gates recently raised $35 million for Phia, which is now valued at around $185 million.

Phoebe Gates, the 23-year-old daughter of Bill Gates, is making waves in the tech world with her AI-powered shopping startup, Phia. Valued at $185 million, Phia is an app that helps users find the best deals on fashion items across thousands of sites, promoting sustainable shopping. Phoebe’s drive to succeed is fueled by her desire to prove herself without relying on her family’s name or privilege

Growing up as a Gates, Phoebe faced pressure to live up to expectations, but she’s determined to forge her own path. She co-founded Phia with Sophia Kianni, and together they’ve raised $43 million in funding from investors like Notable Capital, Kleiner Perkins, and Khosla Ventures, as well as celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Kris Jenner.

Phia’s innovative features include real-time price comparisons, personalized recommendations, and a “Should I Buy This?” button that suggests alternatives. The app has already amassed over 1 million users and is expanding its team.

Phoebe’s journey is an inspiration to young entrepreneurs, especially women, as she navigates the challenges of building a startup while carrying a famous name. She’s vocal about her passion for women’s empowerment and reproductive rights, and is using her platform to make a difference.

Phoebe Gates envisions Phia evolving into a full-spectrum AI companion that extends beyond fashion into sustainable choices, ethical sourcing, and gifting ideas. She’s passionate about weaving in wellness insights, like fabric allergies or eco-impact scores, to create a thoughtful and inclusive shopping ecosystem. Phoebe aims to keep Phia grounded in user trust, ensuring it empowers rather than overwhelishes.

Her vision aligns with Phia’s mission to reinvent how digital natives discover, compare, and shop for products, blending AI assistance with conscious consumerism. The platform already boasts over 600,000 users and 5,000+ brand partners, making it one of the fastest-growing fashion-tech startups.

Phoebe’s focus on sustainability and social impact is evident in Phia’s features, such as real-time price comparisons and personalized recommendations. She’s also committed to making online shopping a phenomenal discovery and style experience.