Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni’s Phia raises $35M to ‘make shopping fun again’ | TechCrunch

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Phia, a startup led by founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia, is focused on developing an AI shopping agent while navigating challenges posed by a recent snowstorm in New York City. The team remains committed to their project, emphasizing the need for adaptability in both their work environment and product development.
Phia Secures $35 Million Funding to Enhance AI Shopping Experience
Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, has raised $35 million to develop its AI shopping agent aimed at transforming online shopping. The funding, led by prominent investors, underscores the potential of Phia’s approach to personalize consumer shopping experiences.
Gates and Kianni aim to "make shopping fun again," leveraging AI to provide personalized recommendations and a more interactive shopping environment. Phia’s technology seeks to streamline the purchasing process by aligning product suggestions with individual user preferences.
Phia is also exploring gamification elements to enhance user engagement and retention. The startup plans to use the new funding to accelerate product development and expand its team.
The funding round reflects strong investor confidence in AI-driven solutions within retail, positioning Phia to significantly impact the e-commerce landscape.
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📰 Original Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/27/phoebe-gates-and-sophia-kiannis-phia-raises-35m-to-make-shopping-fun-again/
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