Phia's Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni talk consumer AI at Disrupt 2025 | TechCrunch
Key Takeaways
- Phia, an AI-powered shopping assistant co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, is experiencing significant industry buzz.
- Phia aims to redefine shopping for Gen Z by integrating AI assistance with values like trust, personalization, and conscious consumerism.
- The founders, both recognized advocates (Gates for reproductive rights, Kianni for climate action), are presenting at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025.
- The presentation will cover strategies for scaling a consumer AI brand, building consumer loyalty beyond initial hype, and understanding Gen Z shopping expectations.
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is scheduled for October 27â29 at San Franciscoâs Moscone West.
Consumer AI startup Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, has become one of the buzziest launches of 2025, aiming to reinvent product discovery for digital natives by blending AI assistance with conscious consumerism. Gates, an advocate for women's rights, and Kianni, a climate activist and founder of Climate Cardinals, are leveraging their advocacy backgrounds to build a brand centered on trust, personalization, and ethics for Gen Z shoppers. The founders are scheduled to present at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco, where they will detail their strategy for scaling the business in a competitive market. Key discussion points include converting hype into loyalty, addressing the specific demands of Gen Z consumers, and lessons learned in building a values-driven tech company. The event is anticipated to draw over 10,000 attendees interested in consumer AI, commerce, and brand-driven technology.
