‘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, the 23-year-old daughter of billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates and philanthropist Melinda French Gates, is determined to build her AI shopping company, Phia, without any association to her privileged background. She raised over $43 million for the venture, which is now valued at $185 million. Gates, who grew up learning that her team is crucial to her success, insists Phia will stand on its own merits and not be tied to her last name or inherited wealth.

The New York-based startup, co-founded with Stanford University roommate Sophia Kianni, offers a shopping assistant that compares prices across tens of thousands of retail and resale sites in real time. Phia's valuation surged to $185 million after a $35 million funding round led by Notable Capital. Gates and Kianni have faced accusations of "cookie stuffing" in their software, which falsely attributed sales to Phia's referral code.

The company has since removed the problematic features and committed to reversing affected transactions. Despite navigating personal challenges and nepo baby accusations, Gates remains focused on building a unique and loved consumer product.