Theodora Lau is the founder of Unconventional Ventures and a leading voice in fintech, focused on driving innovation that serves overlooked communities. Through her work as an author, speaker, and advisor, she advocates for more inclusive, human-centered financial solutions.
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What does it really take to build inclusive fintech?
It’s a question many in the industry are starting to ask more seriously—especially as new technologies reach more parts of the economy, and as the gap between those served and those left out remains just as stark.
We’ve explored this before. We looked at research from Commonwealth on how AI tools could be designed to support low- and moderate-income users. The takeaway? It’s not just about access to new features—it’s about relevance, trust, and actual usability.
In this interview, we continue that conversation from another perspective. We spoke with Theodora Lau, a longtime advocate for more human-centered innovation in financial services. Her work—through Unconventional Ventures, her writing, and her podcast—has consistently challenged the industry to design for real lives, not just ideal users.
The focus is clear throughout this conversation: inclusive fintech can’t be achieved through product features alone. It requires intention, better incentives, and the willingness to rethink what success actually looks like.
We talk about digital inclusion, overlooked demographics, and how job insecurity and longer lifespans are reshaping the way people engage with financial services. The questions are practical. So are the answers.
The full interview is below. Let us know what resonates.
1. You’ve been a strong advocate for inclusive fintech and ethical innovation. What inspired you to focus on these areas?
I’d attribute that to my upbringing and lived experiences. My parents have instilled in me a sense of social responsibility early on — and through their lived experiences, I have learned early on that ‘success’ isn’t just about how hard you work or how lucky you are. As the saying goes, talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not. But with intention, I believe we can change that.
2. In your experience, what are the biggest barriers preventing fintech from being truly inclusive?
First of all, there is no true financial inclusion without digital inclusion – not only access to affordable digital services, but also access to knowledge and equipment. But even then, technology alone can’t solve all the problems — we need human empathy and policy. And we also need to make sure that we have the right incentives and metrics. (Simply enabling account opening isn’t enough.)
3. You talk a lot about the intersection of technology and humanity. How do you think financial services can become more human-centered in a world increasingly dominated by AI and automation?
I think it needs to be. After all, the industry serves humans, not bots, right? So human needs come first, and AI is just a tool to help us do what we need better and faster.
4. Diversity in fintech remains a challenge, particularly when it comes to women and underrepresented founders. What concrete steps should the industry take to close these gaps?
Follow the money. Don’t just include them at the decision-making table but give them the mic. Fund them and support them with capital. Be intentional.
5. What are some overlooked segments of the population that fintech should be designing for?
Sandwiched generation and older adults. These are growing demographics in our society, who are actively participating and contributing to society. Their needs are also changing with more complex lives and financial needs.
Financial caregiving, for example, is often overlooked until it’s too late — we need to enable people to plan better and sooner, especially when we have multiple generations living alongside each other. How can we best plan for our own retirement — and manage the financial needs of those around us (e.g. our aging parents and our children)?
6. You’ve co-authored books and written extensively on the future of work. How do you see the role of fintech evolving in a world where job structures and income streams are changing?
As we lead multi-stage lives, our needs continue to evolve. Gone are the days of steady paychecks and retirement at 65. Nowadays, it’s common for people to take up gig work or work part-time but not fully retire.
The way we plan for longevity must also evolve as well. How best can we plan ahead for long-term financial security when our income fluctuates? At the same time, for those who want to start their own businesses (which is also becoming more common), what are the tools available to help them forecast cash flow as they bridge the needs between personal and professional demands?
7. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the potential of fintech to create meaningful social impact?
The ability to uplift those who have been ignored or forgotten by our society. The internet was created to bridge the gaps between people from different corners of the world, to facilitate knowledge sharing, and to bring us closer together. I hope we can finally fulfill the mission of doing so in financial services, and bring more people closer to their dreams and aspirations.
8. What’s one industry narrative that you think needs to change in order for fintech to truly drive better financial outcomes for people?
Shed our biases.
9. What’s one practical step that fintech leaders, entrepreneurs, or professionals can take today to create more inclusive and impactful financial solutions?
Listen more, talk less, and measure what matters. Do we know and understand what people truly need?
