TITLE: Phia Founders Gates and Kianni to Reveal AI Shopping Strategy at Disrupt 2025
Phia’s AI Shopping Vision Takes Center Stage
Consumer artificial intelligence is experiencing its defining moment in 2025, and startup Phia has emerged as one of the year’s most talked-about launches. The AI-powered shopping assistant has captured significant attention not only for its innovative approach to how Generation Z shops but also for its impressive founding team: Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni.
Disrupt 2025: A Platform for Innovation
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 27-29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West, the two founders will share their insights on building Phia into a lasting consumer brand. Their presentation will cover crucial aspects of scaling in today’s competitive tech landscape and transforming viral momentum into sustainable market presence. This event follows their recent feature discussing Phia’s launch strategy.
Redefining Digital Shopping for a New Generation
Phia represents a fundamental shift in how digital natives discover, compare, and purchase products. The platform combines sophisticated AI assistance with the principles of conscious consumerism, recognizing that for Gen Z shoppers, the purchasing journey extends beyond mere convenience. Today’s consumers prioritize trust, personalization, and alignment with their ethical values – and Phia’s founders believe next-generation consumer AI must address all these dimensions simultaneously.
Meet the Visionary Founders
Phoebe Gates, Phia’s co-founder, brings a unique perspective as an entrepreneur and advocate for women’s reproductive rights and gender equity. A Stanford human biology graduate, she has collaborated with global healthcare leaders and activists to drive social change. Her recognition as Reproductive Freedom for All’s 2024 “Rising Reproductive Freedom Champion” underscores her commitment to progress while she simultaneously builds Phia into a leading AI shopping brand.
Sophia Kianni, Phia’s other co-founder, is an Iranian American entrepreneur and climate activist who gained prominence as the founder of Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit. Her accolades include Forbes 30 Under 30 and BBC’s 100 Women honors, along with serving as the youngest UN climate adviser in U.S. history. Now, she applies her advocacy and storytelling expertise to scale Phia, using AI to enable more informed and sustainable consumer decisions.
Key Discussion Points at Disrupt 2025
Gates and Kianni will explore several critical themes during their session:
- Building consumer trust in an AI-driven marketplace
- Adapting quickly to evolving market dynamics
- Differentiating in a crowded technology space
- Converting temporary buzz into lasting brand influence
- Understanding Gen Z’s unique shopping preferences and values
Why This Session Matters
With over 10,000 founders, investors, and industry professionals expected at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, this presentation is essential viewing for anyone working in consumer AI, e-commerce, or brand-focused technology. The insights from Gates and Kianni will provide valuable guidance for businesses seeking to earn Gen Z’s loyalty in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace.
Attendees will gain firsthand knowledge about the future of AI-powered shopping directly from the entrepreneurs who are shaping it. The session promises to deliver practical strategies and visionary thinking that could redefine how we think about consumer technology and shopping experiences.
