Archive · 19 Sep 2025
Gates' Advice: People Matter for Daughter's Startup
Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, started an AI fashion-tech company called Phia.
Her parents gave her advice, not money, about building her company.
They emphasized that the people you work with are critical to success.
Phoebe's parents did not invest directly, reflecting their philosophy on encouraging independent achievement.
Her startup secured $8 million in seed funding from investors like Kleiner Perkins, attracting over 500,000 users.
The Gates’s advice centered on surrounding herself with good people to build a successful product, not solely relying on wealth.
Phoebe Gates, daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, launched Phia, an AI-powered fashion-tech startup.
The Gates' advice focused on the importance of the people involved in the venture.
Phia secured $8 million in seed funding from Kleiner Perkins and other investors.
Melinda Gates emphasized that Phoebe was not given capital due to her parents’ connections.
Phia launched from a Stanford dorm room and has attracted over 500,000 users.
- Who
- Phoebe Gates and her parents, Bill and Melinda Gates
- What
- Advice given to Phoebe Gates about her AI-powered fashion-tech startup, Phia.
- When
- Phia launched in April 2025; advice given before launch.
- Where
- Stanford dorm room (Phia launch)
- Why
- To guide her startup's success, emphasizing the importance of people and independent capital.
- Startup Name
- Phia
- Startup Focus
- AI-powered fashion-tech
- Founder
- Phoebe Gates
- Seed Funding
- $8 million
- Lead Investors
- Kleiner Perkins
- Notable Investors
- Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner, Sheryl Sandberg