Phoebe Gates
About Phoebe Gates
Phoebe Gates graduated from Stanford University in 2024 with a degree in Human Biology. Her LinkedIn profile describes her as founder and co-CEO of Phia, a venture-backed AI shopping assistant. She also co-hosts The Burnouts, a podcast on careers and ambition, on the Unwell Network.
She co-founded Phia with her Stanford roommate Sophia Kianni. The app launched in 2025 and uses AI to search the web for deals on fashion. Phia raised an $8M seed round led by Kleiner Perkins in September 2025. In January 2026 it raised $35M in a round led by Notable Capital with Khosla Ventures participating.
Gates has said she wants to build something that has no ties to her privilege or her last name. She is the youngest daughter of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.
Her public record as an angel investor is thin. The one deal found in press and portfolio announcements is Polar's seed round in July 2026. Her main role in startups is as an operator and founder. She has not published a list of her angel investments, so this page includes only deals confirmed in public sources.
Polar is a San Francisco company building an AI browser that automates knowledge work. It runs multi-step agent workflows for sales, recruiting, marketing and research teams. It announced a $5.7M seed round on July 29, 2026, led by Madrona. Gates is named as a participant alongside Thomas Dohmke, former GitHub CEO, and Erik Bernhardsson, CEO of Modal. Polar's CEO is Kevin Jiang, who previously worked on Perplexity's Comet browser.
Gates has made no public statement about check size, stage or sectors. The only known deal is a seed-stage AI agent product for work. That is one data point, not a stated thesis. As a founder she has direct experience of consumer AI, agents and fundraising from angels and institutional funds.
- Polar: AI browser that automates knowledge work with agent workflows. Gates took part in its $5.7M seed round in July 2026, led by Madrona.
- mezha.net/eng/bukvy/6ec7a65b_polar_raises_-5-7m
- businesswire.com/news/home/20260729290277/en/Polar-the-AI-Browser-That
- x.com/GrishinRobotics/status/2083834492871934287
- linkedin.com/in/phoebe-gates-82a60b296
- techcrunch.com/2026/01/27/phoebe-gates-and-sophia-kiannis-phia-raises-
- fortune.com/2025/09/17/exclusive-phia-founded-by-phoebe-gates-and-soph
- finance.yahoo.com/news/phia-co-founder-phoebe-gates-aims-to-build-some
Investing activity
Phoebe Gates appears in 1 AI deal tracked by the Lounge deals desk. The rounds are mostly Seed, with a median round size of $6M. The most recent is Polar (Seed, $5.7M, Jul 2026).
Phoebe Gates most often invests alongside Madrona, Thomas Dohmke, Benjamin Spector and Robert Yang., and the companies they back on Lounge are mostly in AI.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about Phoebe Gates
Does Phoebe Gates invest as an angel in AI startups?
Yes, in at least one case. She is named as a participant in Polar's $5.7M seed round, announced in July 2026. No broader list of her angel investments is public.
What is Phoebe Gates' angel check size?
It is not public. She has not stated a check size, and Polar's announcement did not disclose individual amounts.
What stage does Phoebe Gates invest in?
The only known investment is a seed round, in Polar. She has not described a stage focus.
What companies has Phoebe Gates founded?
She co-founded Phia, an AI shopping assistant, with Sophia Kianni. Phia raised an $8M seed in September 2025 and a $35M round in January 2026.
Who invested in Polar's seed round alongside Phoebe Gates?
Madrona led the $5.7M round. Other named participants include Thomas Dohmke, Erik Bernhardsson, Benjamin Spector and Rob Wachen.
Should founders pitch Phoebe Gates?
She has backed an AI agent product built by founders with a strong product track record. Founders working on consumer AI or agents may find her operator experience relevant. She has not published what she looks for, so keep outreach short and specific.
Is Phoebe Gates an angel investor?
Yes. Phoebe Gates invests personally as an angel.
What AI companies has Phoebe Gates invested in?
Phoebe Gates's AI investments include Polar. The 1 round on Lounge are listed on this page with amounts, dates and co-investors.
What stage does Phoebe Gates invest at?
In the rounds tracked on Lounge, Phoebe Gates has invested at Seed, with a median round of $6M.
Who does Phoebe Gates co-invest with?
Phoebe Gates's most frequent co-investors on Lounge are Madrona (1 deal), Thomas Dohmke (1 deal), Benjamin Spector (1 deal), Robert Yang. (1 deal) and Erik Bernhardsson (1 deal).