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Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni’s Phia raises $35M to ‘make shopping fun again’
Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, has raised $35M for its AI-driven shopping app that personalizes shopping experiences by showcasing second-hand alternatives, driving sustainability while saving users money. The startup has achieved significant growth with 6,200 retail partners and aims to revolutionize online shopping using machine learning.
Key points
- Phia closed a $35 million funding round led by Notable Capital and others.
- Founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, Phia has grown rapidly, achieving 11x revenue growth.
- The app helps users find second-hand items as cheaper alternatives to new purchases.
- Partnerships with brands provide Phia with data to improve sales for those brands.
- The founders utilize their digital presence and social media reach to attract customers.
- Phia plans to enhance user experience through personalized suggestions using machine learning.
- There was an issue with user data collection, which the company addressed and resolved.
Why it matters
- The growth of AI in e-commerce aligns with the 2025 IT trend of personalization in online shopping.
- The push for sustainability in consumer behavior reflects a broader cultural shift towards eco-friendly practices.
- The involvement of celebrity investors indicates a larger trend of high-profile backing in startup ecosystems.
Phia is positioning itself at the forefront of e-commerce innovation, blending AI technology to improve user experiences while fostering sustainability, indicating a potentially transformative future for online shopping.