Phoebe Gates

BIO:

• Name: Phoebe Adele Gates
• Title/Position: Co-Founder, Phia; Podcast Co-Host; Women’s Health Advocate
• Industry: Fashion Technology / Sustainability / Media & Advocacy
• Location: New York, NY, USA
• Age: 23 - (14th of September 2002)
• Net Worth: Estimated around US$20 million (2024–2025) 

Phoebe Gates’s Story

From the gates of privilege to the frontier of fashion tech, Phoebe Gates is proving she is not just “Bill Gates’ daughter,” but an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and thoughtful advocate.

Growing up as the youngest daughter of Bill and Melinda French Gates, Phoebe was surrounded by enormous wealth and influence. Still, she often speaks about feeling pressure to prove herself beyond the “nepo baby” label. She’s said to People she entered Stanford with a mix of imposter syndrome and determination: “I had so much insecurity … I was like, ‘I have so much privilege. I’m a nepo baby.’” 

Despite her father famously dropping out of Harvard, Phoebe’s parents insisted she complete her college education before diving fully into entrepreneurship. She has recalled, “You need to finish your degree; you don’t just get to, like, drop out and do a company.” She honored that boundary but had a vision. 

While at Stanford, she studied Human Biology (her undergraduate major) and crossed paths with Sophia Kianni, her future co-founder and one of her college roommates. Together, they began to sketch ideas for what would become Phia, one of the fastest-growing fashion-tech startups helping people shop smarter, more transparently, and more sustainably.

Phoebe officially launched Phia in April 2025 (in beta) as both a mobile app and browser extension. The name itself, Phia, blends parts of Phoebe and Sophia, underscoring their partnership. In its early months, Phia reached 500,000 users and secured over 5,000 direct brand partnerships. 

Phoebe also co-hosts a podcast called The Burnouts (on Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network) with Sophia, where they bring on creators, founders, and change-makers to talk candidly about the struggles and joys of building. 

Beyond business, she has become a vocal advocate for reproductive rights and women’s health. She has aligned with organizations like Reproductive Freedom for All, which named her a “Rising Reproductive Freedom Champion” in 2024. 

Phoebe’s journey is about reconciling identity, legacy, and purpose. She constantly speaks about using her privileges responsibly, striving for independence, and making choices that reflect her values.

Career Highlights

Key Milestones

• 2023: Co-founded Phia with Sophia Kianni while at Stanford
  
• April 2025: Public launch (beta) of Phia app and browser extension, reaching early traction
  
• September 2025: Raised US$8 million in seed funding led by Kleiner Perkins and backed by influential investors like Hailey Bieber, Kris Jenner, Sara Blakely, and Sheryl Sandberg
  
• 2024: Graduated early from Stanford with a B.S. in Human Biology
  

Achievements

• Has scaled Phia to half a million users within months of launch
  
• Secured widespread investor support and brand partnerships across fashion and retail industries
  
• Co-host of The Burnouts podcast, giving voice to younger founders and creators
  
• Named a “Rising Reproductive Freedom Champion” by reproductive rights organizations 

Phoebe Gates Net Worth

Phoebe’s estimated net worth hovers around US$20 million as of 2024–2025, according to multiple media sources. This valuation primarily reflects:

• Her equity in Phia (her founder stake) and the value derived from its rapid growth and venture funding
  
• Her public profile, brand partnerships, and influence as a speaker/advocate
  
• Bill Gates has publicly stated he intends to leave each child less than 1% of his total wealth, part of a broader philosophy about encouraging financial independence and his philanthropic endavours. 

So her net worth is built from real traction and business value, not simply inheritance.

Phoebe Gates in the News

• TechCrunch recently covered how Phoebe and Sophia used Gen Z–style virality and community to raise US$8 million in seed funding for Phia.
  
• Forbes profiled Phia’s early metrics: 500,000 users, 5,000+ brand partnerships, and major investor interest.
  
• Stanford Daily featured a Q&A with Phoebe and Sophia, reflecting on their time at Stanford, founding Phia together, and how their shared vision grew from college roommates.
  
• More broadly, media have also highlighted Phoebe’s introspective conversations about identity, privilege, and ambition; such as her decision not to lean on her family for funding.
  

Quotes by Phoebe Gates

“I had so much insecurity … I was like, ‘I have so much privilege. I’m a nepo baby.’” 

“The results that we’re seeing … is just the result of habits … waking up early, working till damn late on this company because you love it.” 

“Early on, I realized that confidence doesn’t come from knowing everything – it comes from inspired action, which comes down to trusting your instincts and doing the work.”

FAQs: Most Asked Questions About Phoebe Gates