Microsoft vet who founded beer delivery app ID’d as Melinda French Gates’ new boyfriend

The New York gossip sites are abuzz over Melinda French Gates’ love life this week, as the billionaire Seattle philanthropist was spotted holding hands with her new entrepreneur boyfriend.

Page Six published photos of French Gates with Philip Vaughn after the two stepped off a helicopter in New York and later when they stepped out for dinner in Midtown Manhattan.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Vaughn is a Seattle-area tech vet who spent more than eight years at Microsoft as a program manager. He left in 2008 and started Raveable, a hotel reviews website that is now shut down. Vaughn also served as a mentor with Techstars in Seattle and was a founder and managing partner at Innovation Arts Group.

In 2013, Vaughn founded Tavour, a Seattle-based craft beer delivery app, where he is currently the chairman.

French Gates and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates announced their divorce three years ago after 27 years of marriage.

In June, she resigned from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — now Gates Foundation — to pursue her own philanthropic efforts mainly focused on women and families. Pivotal Ventures, French Gates’ independent company, is overseeing her giving initiatives. 

Earlier this month, she launched Action for Women’s Health, a $250 million open call that aims to reach organizations from around the world working to address women’s physical and mental health.

Bill Gates reportedly began dating girlfriend Paula Hurd some time ago, and they made their red carpet debut in April at the 10th annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in Los Angeles.