Bill Gates' Youngest Daughter Launches AI-Powered Startup, Ditches Dad's Advice
In a move that echoes the familiar startup playbook of her older sister and half-sister, 23-year-old Phoebe Gates is making waves in the tech world with her new A.I.-powered shopping assistant called Phia. Alongside Stanford roommate Sophia Kianna, Phoebe has co-founded a company that aims to shake up e-commerce by providing users with a personalized comparison of prices across thousands of sites.
The idea for Phia was born out of frustration with online shopping, where Phoebe and Sophia found themselves wasting money on impulse buys. "There felt like there was this giant white space for, what should we actually buy and why doesn't everyone have a personal shopper in their pocket?" Phoebe explained during a recent appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
The duo's journey to startup stardom began with a $250,000 grant from Stanford, which they used to launch Phia in April this year. The platform has since caught the attention of major investors, including Kleiner Perkins and Sheryl Sandberg, who have backed its seed round with an eight-figure investment.
While her parents' influence is evident in her determination to make a difference through technology, it seems Phoebe Gates is more interested in learning from industry leaders like Spanx founder Sara Blakely. Unlike many Gen Z entrepreneurs, she's not turning to her parents or other familiar faces for advice, opting instead to forge her own path.
Phia's focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping has resonated with users, who have flocked to the platform with over 600,000 signing up since its launch. The startup's emphasis on reducing carbon footprint and promoting mindful shopping is being reflected in features like retained value reminders and personalized recommendations.
As Phia continues to learn from its users, Gates plans to roll out more personalized features that leverage A.I. to collect data and power personalized recommendations. One thing is clear: this young entrepreneur is determined to make her mark on the startup world, free from the shadow of her famous parents.
In a move that echoes the familiar startup playbook of her older sister and half-sister, 23-year-old Phoebe Gates is making waves in the tech world with her new A.I.-powered shopping assistant called Phia. Alongside Stanford roommate Sophia Kianna, Phoebe has co-founded a company that aims to shake up e-commerce by providing users with a personalized comparison of prices across thousands of sites.
The idea for Phia was born out of frustration with online shopping, where Phoebe and Sophia found themselves wasting money on impulse buys. "There felt like there was this giant white space for, what should we actually buy and why doesn't everyone have a personal shopper in their pocket?" Phoebe explained during a recent appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
The duo's journey to startup stardom began with a $250,000 grant from Stanford, which they used to launch Phia in April this year. The platform has since caught the attention of major investors, including Kleiner Perkins and Sheryl Sandberg, who have backed its seed round with an eight-figure investment.
While her parents' influence is evident in her determination to make a difference through technology, it seems Phoebe Gates is more interested in learning from industry leaders like Spanx founder Sara Blakely. Unlike many Gen Z entrepreneurs, she's not turning to her parents or other familiar faces for advice, opting instead to forge her own path.
Phia's focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping has resonated with users, who have flocked to the platform with over 600,000 signing up since its launch. The startup's emphasis on reducing carbon footprint and promoting mindful shopping is being reflected in features like retained value reminders and personalized recommendations.
As Phia continues to learn from its users, Gates plans to roll out more personalized features that leverage A.I. to collect data and power personalized recommendations. One thing is clear: this young entrepreneur is determined to make her mark on the startup world, free from the shadow of her famous parents.
I'm not sure what's more impressive - Phoebe Gates' AI-powered shopping assistant or how she managed to ditch her dad's advice 
. Seriously though, as cool as it is to see another Gates sibling making waves in tech, isn't this just a case of "following in their footsteps"? 
Still, if Phia can make e-commerce more sustainable and personalized, I'm all for it! 
But what's the point of having AI-powered features if they're not being used to actually reduce waste? 
. Not every young entrepreneur needs to rely on their famous parents for advice, and it's great to see her seeking guidance from industry leaders like Sara Blakely.
. And I love that she's listening to her users and learning from them – that's what makes for a truly successful startup, in my opinion.
. One thing to watch out for: as AI-powered tech becomes more prevalent, how will we ensure that it's being used responsibly? That's the kind of question that'll keep us on our toes, for sure 
It's crazy how she and Sophia Kianna came up with a platform that solves online shopping problems and focuses on sustainability too - it's like they're making the world a better place, one purchase at a time. 
. It's like she's taking a deep breath and saying, "You know what? I've got this!" 
But at the same time, it's also super inspiring to see how her platform is making an impact with sustainable shopping and reducing carbon footprint 
. I'm curious to see what other features she'll come up with next, especially with AI-powered personalization in the works 
. It's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out...
! She's a total boss and I'm so here for her independent streak 
. AI-powered shopping assistant Phia sounds like a total game-changer 
, especially with its focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping 
! #PhoebeGates #Phia #StartupSquad #WomenInTech #EcommerceRevolution
. What really impresses me is the traction her platform has gotten with over 600k users signing up since launch - that's no small feat! 
However, it's worth noting that the idea of using AI to power personalized recommendations isn't exactly new; I've seen similar concepts being pitched by other startups around the same time. 
. I'm all for sustainable shopping, but let's not forget that the real problem is consumerism itself, not just our tech choices 
I also gotta say, I'm impressed by her focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping - it's not just about making money, it's about doing good too 
She's like, totally breaking free from the whole 'dad's advice' vibe and forging her own path in the tech world. I mean, who wouldn't want to work with a platform that helps you find the best deals on sustainable shopping? 
. Plus, 600k users signing up since launch? That's some crazy growth! What do you think about this AI-powered shopping assistant?
.
she's really taking a different route than her fam 
).