Prime Highlights:
- Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni have launched Phia, an AI shopping app that has already gained 700,000 usersand raised $8 million in seed funding.
- The duo champions female representation in tech and venture capital, highlighting the need for more women-led startups.
Key Facts:
- Phia has raised $8 million in seed fundingand attracted over 700,000 users since its April 2025 launch.
- Female-only founded companies received just 2.3% of global venture capital in 2024, highlighting the funding gap for women-led startups.
Background:
Phoebe Gates, daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is carving out her own identity in the tech world. Together with climate activist and United Nations adviser Sophia Kianni, she has launched Phia, an AI-powered shopping platform that is quickly gaining ground in a sector where female-led startups continue to face steep barriers.
The app helps users compare items across more than 40,000 retail websites, evaluate resale value, track purchase history, and find better alternatives based on browsing and buying patterns.
Gates says the next phase will introduce digital closets, allowing users to track and manage their wardrobes inside the app.
“The numbers don’t lie,” she said. “Once people use Phia for two months, they rely on it every time they shop. That isn’t something a last name can influence; only product value can.”
Gates acknowledges that her family name opened doors, but insists that building Phia has required real work and accountability. “It’s important to say I come from privilege,” she said. “But success in tech still depends on solving real problems and proving traction. Our product stands on its own.”
Both co-founders emphasize surrounding themselves with strong, reliable teams, something Gates attributes to her Seattle upbringing.
Beyond Phia, Gates and Kianni have expanded into media with their podcast “The Burnouts,” launched in partnership with Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network. The show brings entrepreneurs and public figures together to discuss the highs and lows of building a career.
Their broader mission, however, remains focused on shifting the landscape for women in tech.
“We need more women to feel supported enough to take risks,” Kianni said. “Changing venture capital starts with education, access, and showing women they’re not alone.”
As Phia continues to grow, the founders hope their success sends a message: the future of tech is broader, more diverse, and full of untapped potential.
