AI-powered shopping application Phia has officially unveiled the celebrity investors behind its oversubscribed $35.5 million Series A funding round. Founded by Stanford alumni Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the company has now raised a total of $43.5 million to date. This strategic infusion of capital and cultural influence aims to redefine the landscape of online retail discovery.
A Strategic Roster of Cultural Influencers
The newly revealed angel cohort includes more than 30 prominent figures from entertainment, fashion, and technology. High-profile investors such as Sydney Sweeney, Paris Hilton, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Khloé Kardashian are among those backing the venture. The list also features tech industry leaders, including Robinhood's Vlad Tenev and OpenAI's Charles Porch.
Phia's leadership emphasizes that this star-studded cap table is a deliberate distribution strategy, not a vanity project. The company's core thesis is that shopping discovery is inherently social and driven by personal taste. Each investor represents a powerful channel for content creation, brand partnerships, and audience engagement.
Investor Confidence and Vision
Investor enthusiasm is rooted in both the platform's utility and the founders' vision. Khloé Kardashian noted her decision was influenced by her mother and fellow investor, Kris Jenner, highlighting a belief in their family's business acumen. Jessica Alba praised the app for providing transparency that empowers consumers to make confident purchasing decisions.
The investment also reflects a commitment to supporting female entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Investor Alix Earle expressed pride in backing fellow female founders who are building forward-thinking companies. This sentiment underscores the collaborative spirit driving Phia's growth, which began with Gates and Kianni as university roommates.
Impressive Growth and Market Position
Since its launch, Phia has demonstrated remarkable growth, attracting a user base of 1.5 million people. The platform has also forged partnerships with nearly 10,000 retail brands, spanning contemporary, resale, and luxury markets. This rapid expansion is complemented by over one billion views generated across its various platforms.
The app's technology scans more than 350 million products in real-time, helping users find better prices and track value. Phia attributes a significant 50% reduction in product return rates to its sophisticated AI recommendation model. This efficiency showcases the platform's value proposition for both shoppers and its extensive network of retail partners.
With its total funding reaching $43.5 million, Phia is strongly positioned with backing from both institutional VCs and a powerful network of cultural tastemakers. The company has successfully built significant early momentum, validated by strong user growth and extensive brand partnerships. The ultimate test will be converting this unique blend of celebrity influence and technological innovation into sustained market leadership in the competitive AI retail space.