Bill Gates’ daughter Pheobe Gates, 22, started her own venture without her father’s help
Bill Gates recently opened up about his youngest daughter Phoebe Gates’ decision to launch a startup entirely on her own terms. The 22-year-old entrepreneur, who co-founded a new price-comparison platform with her former Stanford classmate Sophia Kianni, never sought financial assistance from her father. Gates admitted he would have been willing to help, but added that, “luckily,” she never asked — a choice that allowed her to build the company independently.
Phoebe and Kianni’s startup, Phia, is designed to help shoppers evaluate whether they’re overpaying for products by comparing prices of new and pre-owned items across multiple online marketplaces. The concept taps into a growing consumer trend toward sustainable shopping, resale markets, and cost-conscious purchasing habits. By offering users a straightforward way to assess real-time price differences, Phia aims to make online shopping more transparent.
Despite being the daughter of one of the world’s wealthiest individuals — Bill Gates currently stands among the richest people globally with a net worth of more than $100 billion — Phoebe’s approach centered on carving her own entrepreneurial path. Rather than relying on her father’s fortune or connections, she pursued traditional funding channels, positioning herself as a driven founder rather than a beneficiary of family wealth.
Bill Gates, now 69, acknowledged in his interview that he would have been open to offering financial support if Phoebe had reached out. He also noted that taking his money might have created expectations or “too much parental oversight,” a dynamic that could have added pressure or complicated her decision-making process during the development of the app.
Phoebe’s determination reflects a broader trend among the children of high-profile figures who seek to build careers without leaning on family legacies. The launch of Phia marks her first major step into the business world, blending technology, consumer education, and social impact — an approach consistent with the interests of many young entrepreneurs emerging from top academic institutions.
As Phoebe and Kianni moved from concept to launch, early support played a crucial role, but the groundwork was entirely their own — setting the stage for what would become a challenging but ultimately successful fundraising journey.