NeoBaby Phoebe Gates wants her $185M AI startup Phia to succeed (fortune.com)

Phoebe Gates, the 23-year-old daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, has raised $35 million for her AI shopping startup Phia, which is now valued at approximately $185 million. With a commitment to distancing her venture from her family’s wealth, Gates co-founded Phia with her Stanford roommate Sophia Kianni. The startup offers a browser plug-in that helps users find the best deals across thousands of retail and resale sites in real time, targeting savvy, time-conscious consumers, particularly young women. This venture is significant for the AI/ML community as it illustrates the growing trend of AI-driven consumer tools aimed at enhancing shopping experiences while addressing sustainability issues—an approach championed by Kianni. The recent funding round was bolstered by renowned investors like Notable Capital and Kleiner Perkins, reinforcing confidence in AI agents that automate everyday tasks. Gates’ insistence on building her company without familial financial assistance, alongside her desire to redefine her identity in the tech space, adds an inspiring narrative to the startup’s mission of providing genuine value in the consumption experience.