The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan 593: Phoebe Gates: Building an AI Fashion Startup Backed by Kris Jenner & Sara Blakely
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Oct 3, 2025 Phoebe Gates, co-founder of the AI fashion startup Phia, shares her inspiring journey from failed ideas in her Stanford dorm to securing $9M from high-profile investors like Kris Jenner and Sara Blakely. She reveals how she built a user base from scratch, utilizing feedback loops and creative growth hacks like 'pizza nights.' Phoebe discusses the challenges of raising funds, embracing her background while forging her own identity, and leveraging AI for scalability, all while focusing on building community through transparency and collaboration.
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From Dorm Room Failures To Seed Funding
- Phoebe and Sophia started with dozens of failed prototypes before FIA, including a smart tampon and subscription box.
- Their professor funded $250K after a class project MVP showed surprising retention and purchases.
Shopping Is Shifting To AI Agents
- Shopping is undergoing a platform shift toward AI agents, creating a new product category.
- A mobile, personalized AI shopping assistant can replace manual discovery and price-checking.
Make Feedback Your Core Growth Engine
- Run frequent feedback loops with real users and host in-person sessions to roast the product.
- Use those learnings to prioritize platform decisions and weekly experiments.
