Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Bill Gates’ Daughter Turns Down Father’s Fortune and Surprises by Raising US$ 8 Million for Her Startup Phia; Million-Dollar Round Already Has Kris Jenner and Hailey Bieber as Investors.
At 22 years old, Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of billionaire Bill Gates, caught the attention of the business world by making a decision that defied expectations. Instead of tapping into her father’s fortune of over US$ 100 billion or her mother Melinda French Gates’ resources, Phoebe chose to carve her own path in the entrepreneurial world. The result? In just three and a half weeks, she raised US$ 8 million in seed funding for her startup Phia, establishing herself as a young entrepreneur seeking recognition for merit, not inheritance.
The Startup That Is Already Worth Millions
Phia was born with the proposal to unite technology and fashion, two sectors where Gen Z connects intensely.
The app allows users to compare prices of clothing and accessories across different online platforms, using artificial intelligence to suggest the most advantageous option to the consumer.
-
They seemed like common bones, but scientists were surprised to find a relic over 12,000 years old that dates back to before the Bronze Age.
-
With an almost perfect ring of 70 km visible from space, known as the “Eye of Quebec” and over 100 km in length, the Manicouagan Crater in Canada reveals the colossal mark left by a giant asteroid and has become one of the most impressive formations ever identified on the Earth’s surface.
-
Scientists have found in China dinosaur embryos dating back 190 million years in various stages of development, and the discovery still preserves traces of extremely rare proteins in the bones, something that could change what is known about life before hatching.
-
The CEO of Honor in Spain says that smartphones will change with AI, foldables, and even robot phones; the component crisis is making cheap models more expensive in 2026 and shifting the focus to premium.
The project, co-founded with Sophia Kianni, has already attracted big names in the investment and entertainment world. Kleiner Perkins, one of the most prestigious venture capital firms in Silicon Valley, backed the business.
Besides her, Kris Jenner and Hailey Bieber also came on board as strategic investors, increasing the brand’s visibility among young consumers.
The “No” from the Family and the Search for Independence
One detail caught even more attention in this case: neither Bill Gates nor Melinda French Gates invested directly in Phia. In an interview with the New York Post, Melinda stated that she would not invest money in her daughter’s project, as she wanted Phoebe to learn to raise external funds and earn credibility on her own.
Bill Gates himself, questioned by the press, said that his daughter never asked him for funding. “If she had asked, I would have considered it, but that would create complications,” he stated in a conversation with People. For him, the independent journey is essential for Phoebe to stand out as an entrepreneur without carrying the weight of the surname.
This decision reinforces a curious contrast: while many billionaire offspring choose businesses made easier by inheritance, Phoebe preferred to face the same challenges as any other young founder in the competitive startup ecosystem.
The US$ 8 Million Round and the Power of Generation Z
The investment round for Phia was considered a phenomenon by the market. In just under a month, Phoebe and Sophia Kianni managed to close deals with renowned investors, utilizing a strategy that blended traditional Silicon Valley networking with a strong appeal to Gen Z.
TechCrunch highlighted that the process was accelerated by Phoebe’s own social media presence, attracting investors accustomed to observing cultural trends even before traditional financial numbers. The result is that Phia is already emerging as a case of innovation in the fundraising model, combining credibility and digital influence.
The Symbolism of the Choice
The fact of turning down money from her parents and still raising a million-dollar sum in such a short time carries enormous symbolic weight. Phoebe shows that she does not intend to be just “Bill Gates’ daughter,” but a founder capable of creating and managing a competitive company.
This choice also opens up space for debates about inheritance, financial independence, and the role of new generations in building businesses that blend purpose and technology. For investors, Phia is not just another fashion startup: it’s a sign that young founders can leverage authenticity and digital strategy as powerful tools.
The Impact in Brazil and the Global Market
Although Phia was born in the United States, its effects may quickly reach emerging markets like Brazil.
The proposal to use artificial intelligence for real-time price comparison directly engages with the rapidly growing national e-commerce.
Additionally, the consolidation of a billion-dollar business led by Bill Gates’ daughter is likely to inspire similar initiatives around the world. Brazilian startups operating in fashion and technology are already observing Phoebe’s movement as a reference for seeking international investment.
A Trajectory That Has Just Begun
Phoebe Gates is still in the early stages of her professional life, but the repercussions of her decision already place her in a prominent position among young global entrepreneurs. More than just raising capital, she has proven that she can operate without the direct support of her family’s fortune, an achievement that reinforces her credibility.
As Phia expands its operations and prepares new features to attract users, the market watches closely: will Phoebe be able to turn her startup into a global unicorn?
One thing is certain: Bill Gates’ daughter has shown that she is willing to write her own story, and the chapter of US$ 8 million was just the first of many.
-
-
3 pessoas reagiram a isso.