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Phoebe Gates' AI Shopping App Under Fire
15 Apr
Summary
- Phoebe Gates' AI shopping app, Phia, launched last year.
- Phia received $35 million in funding, valuing it at $185 million.
- Influencers accuse Gates of 'lowballing' creator rates.

Phoebe Gates, daughter of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, co-founded Phia, an AI-powered shopping app and browser extension. Launched in April 2025, Phia aims to help shoppers compare prices on clothing and accessories. The company rapidly secured significant investment, receiving $35 million in funding last January, which valued it at $185 million just one year after its inception.
Phia's success has been accompanied by controversy. Several influencers have publicly accused Gates of attempting to "lowball" them on rates for paid social media content. These accusations have led to backlash online, with creators citing a disconnect between Gates' privileged background and her negotiation tactics.