Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates revealed why he chose not to fund daughter Phoebe’s AI-driven sustainable shopping app, Phia, as she steps out to prove herself independently.
New York, April 28, 2025 —
Despite having a net worth of $108 billion, Bill Gates chose not to fund his daughter Phoebe Gates’ new business venture. Speaking to the New York Times, the Microsoft co-founder admitted he was initially concerned that 22-year-old Phoebe might seek financial support for her e-commerce startup, Phia.
“My first thought was, ‘Oh, boy,’” Gates, 69, said, explaining he would have found it tricky to maintain a balance between father and investor roles. “I would have kept her on a short leash and be doing business reviews, which would have been difficult.”
Fortunately, Phoebe never asked her father for funding. Gates shared that he only provided advice on personnel management, allowing her to chart her own entrepreneurial path.
Launched last week, Phia is an AI-driven sustainable shopping platform co-founded by Phoebe and entrepreneur Sophia Kianni. The platform uses artificial intelligence to help eco-conscious consumers find the best e-commerce deals.
Phoebe’s mother, Melinda Gates, 60, also chose to stay hands-off. “She saw it as a real opportunity for Phoebe to learn and fail,” Phoebe noted.
Despite acknowledging the “privilege” she carries as the daughter of one of the world’s richest individuals, Phoebe recently opened up about feeling a strong “desire to prove [herself]” without relying on her family’s fortune.
After graduating from Stanford University in 2024 with a degree in human biology, Phoebe has pursued independent ventures, even confirming a relationship with Paul McCartney’s grandson, Arthur Donald, earlier this year.
As for inheritance plans, Bill Gates previously revealed his children — Phoebe, Jennifer, and Rory — will inherit “less than 1 percent” of his fortune, encouraging them to build their own success.
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