There must be movement towards systemic financial wellness and it must be more inclusive, according to Theodora Lau, founder, Unconventional Ventures.

WorkingNation sat down with Lau at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2022 in Beverly Hills.

“I think there’s more focus on underrepresented founders. In the last two years, especially, we see more people talking about the fact that we have not done enough. We talk a lot about FinTech innovation, but by and large, a lot of the FinTech companies are focused on making a better experience for people who already have access to services,” says Lau.

She continues, “What about people that are in LGBTQ communities, people that had no credit history when they came to the United States and they need to reestablish themselves? We are seeing more FinTech startups that are trying to change that. Awareness is a very good first step but being able to get the capital that they need to scale up to actually serve the communities that they’re focusing on, I think that’s a real test.”

Lau, also author of Beyond Good, says her pathway is heavily influenced by her own mother’s experience. Her mother moved as a child from China to Hong Kong and lived under very difficult circumstances.

Because she had to work, Lau says her mother gave up a lot of opportunity in her life. Says Lau, “Things happen. It’s about chances. It’s about opportunities, but [my mother] always reminded me, despite of her circumstances, she relied on a lot of the generosity of people around her. So, we cannot, and we must not, forget people that are in a society that need help.”

Learn more about Unconventional Ventures.