Bill Gates’ Youngest Daughter Launches A.I. Startup—and Isn’t Calling Dad for Advice

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.

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?

I gotta say, I'm loving Phoebe Gates' move here! She's taking a page out of her fam's playbook, but instead of following in their footsteps, she's forging her own path . 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.

I think what's really cool about Phia is its focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping. It's not just about making a buck; it's about making a positive impact . 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.

Plus, 600k users signing up since launch is no joke! Phoebe's got some serious momentum behind her, and I'm excited to see where Phia takes off next . 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

omg i'm loving phoebe gates' vibe she's totally killing it with her AI-powered shopping assistant phia and it's so cool that she's not following in her fam's footsteps - that's a major key to success! the fact that she's got 600k users on board since launch is insane and i'm all about sustainability and secondhand shopping too, so this is right up my alley

I'm low-key obsessed with Phoebe Gates' new AI-powered shopping assistant Phia! 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. The fact that she's not relying on her parents' advice or connections to make it happen is really inspiring. She's breaking down barriers and creating something new from scratch. I'm excited to see how Phia evolves and what other cool features they come up with!

I'm loving Phoebe Gates' decision to forge her own path and not rely on her famous parents for advice . 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 . The fact that users are flocking to Phia because of its focus on these issues is like a big win for the future of e-commerce . 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...

I'm loving Phoebe Gates' move ! She's a total boss and I'm so here for her independent streak . Ditching her dad's advice is all about finding her own voice and style . AI-powered shopping assistant Phia sounds like a total game-changer , especially with its focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping . It's amazing to see young entrepreneurs like Phoebe making waves in the tech world without needing their parents' help or guidance . I'm keeping an eye on this startup, it's going to be HUGE ! #PhoebeGates #Phia #StartupSquad #WomenInTech #EcommerceRevolution

I'm loving Phoebe Gates' determination to forge her own path in the tech world! She's definitely got a solid plan with Phia and its AI-powered shopping assistant , which is making waves in e-commerce. The fact that she's focused on sustainability and secondhand shopping resonates so much with me - we need more initiatives like this to reduce our carbon footprint ! What I find interesting is that she's not relying on her parents' advice or connections to get the job done, but instead learning from industry leaders like Sara Blakely . This shows that Phoebe is willing to put in the hard work and learn from others to make a real impact #PhiaPower #SustainabilityInTech #GirlBoss

I'm not convinced that Phoebe Gates' success story is as original as she makes it out to be . I mean, a $250k grant from Stanford and an eight-figure investment from Kleiner Perkins? That's some serious backing . 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. Still, if Phia can deliver on its promise and make a meaningful impact in the sustainability space, I'd be happy to give her some credit . But for now, let's keep our eyes peeled for more evidence before declaring her a true innovator

I'm not convinced about Phoebe Gates' AI-powered shopping assistant yet . I mean, has she really thought through the implications of collecting all that user data? She's relying on A.I. to make personalized recommendations, but who decides what's "personal" and what's just a sales pitch? It feels like a slippery slope to me. And don't even get me started on the environmental impact of using more energy to power AI . I'm all for sustainable shopping, but let's not forget that the real problem is consumerism itself, not just our tech choices . Can we really trust Phia to prioritize users' needs over profit?

you know what's crazy? she's not just making a product for personal gain, but also trying to change people's habits and reduce waste... it's all about being mindful of our actions and taking responsibility for our own footprint in my opinion, this is a great example of how young entrepreneurs can use their talents to make a real difference in the world

I'm loving Phoebe Gates' vibe! She's totally taking control of her own journey as a founder, which is SO inspiring. Not relying on her fam's name or advice, but forging her own path is exactly what we need more of in the startup world! 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 . And 600k users signing up since launch? That's insane! Phia is definitely one to watch out for

I'm so proud of Phoebe Gates for following her passion and creating something all her own! 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? It's amazing to see how her frustration with online shopping turned into something so cool! And 600k users already?! That's crazy growth! Phia's got some serious potential - can't wait to see what she comes up with next

I think it's awesome that Phoebe Gates is taking a different route from her fam, you know? She's all about creating something original and not just relying on her oldies' connections . It's dope to see her learning from people like Sara Blakely instead of just asking Bill for advice . And I love that Phia is focusing on sustainability and secondhand shopping - it's a great way to make e-commerce more eco-friendly . Plus, 600k users signing up since launch? That's some crazy growth! What do you think about this AI-powered shopping assistant?

I'm intrigued by Phoebe's bold move, ditching her dad's advice to forge her own path She's taking a risk, but it's clear she's passionate about making a difference in e-commerce and sustainability. The fact that she's learning from industry leaders like Sara Blakely is great – it shows she's not just relying on her family name .

The fact that Phia has already gained traction with over 600k users in just a few months is impressive, especially considering the focus on secondhand shopping and sustainability . It's awesome to see a young entrepreneur making waves in the tech world without apologizing for her parents' influence .

One thing to watch is how Phoebe navigates the balance between leveraging AI for personalized recommendations while respecting user data privacy . If she can strike that balance, Phia could be a game-changer in e-commerce. Fingers crossed she succeeds and proves herself as more than just her parents' daughter .

I love how Phoebe's doing her own thing - it's awesome that she's not relying on her fam's name to get ahead. I mean, we all know Bill & Melinda are pretty influential in their own right, but sometimes you just need to cut your own path, right? Her focus on sustainability and secondhand shopping is super cool , especially with the carbon footprint aspect. It's like, who doesn't want to reduce waste, am I right? The AI-powered shopping assistant thing is genius - it's like having a personal shopper in your pocket! And that she's learning from Sara Blakely and others outside her fam is a great sign that she's not afraid to take risks. Bring on the Phia revolution

I think it's awesome that Phoebe Gates is forging her own path in the tech world. It's easy for her to get caught up with the advice of her famous parents or even just following in her sister's footsteps, but she's choosing to learn from industry leaders and make her own decisions. That kind of confidence and independence is going to take her far!

man i love seeing phoebe gates' journey as a startup founder its cool how she's taking a different path from her fam like that 6 mil investment from sheryl sandberg is huge btw i think it's awesome that she's focusing on sustainability and secondhand shopping in an age where eco-awareness is getting more mainstream

i wonder how phoebe's decision to ditch her dad's advice will impact her business tho she's really taking a different route than her fam maybe it'll be for the best tho? what do you guys think about this new AI-powered shopping assistant, phia?

Ugh, I'm literally so exhausted thinking about all these young people coming up with genius ideas and crushing it in their early twenties ! I mean, Phoebe Gates is only 23 and she's already making waves in the tech world with her AI-powered shopping assistant Phia . And can we talk about how inspiring it is that she's ditching her dad's advice and forging her own path? Like, Bill Gates may have been a pioneer in his time, but it's clear that Phoebe has bigger plans .

And let's be real, I'm living for the fact that she's prioritizing sustainability and secondhand shopping . We need more people like Phoebe who are genuinely passionate about making a difference through technology. It's not just about raking in the cash or getting famous (although, tbh, it doesn't hurt ).

I'm also loving how she's taking advice from other industry leaders, like Sara Blakely . It's clear that Phoebe is doing her own research and finding her own way, rather than just relying on her famous last name or connections. Give me more young entrepreneurs with this kind of drive and determination !