At work with Theodora Lau

Theodora Lau is the founder of Unconventional Ventures – a provider of boutique consulting services to drive innovation for the improvement of systematic financial wellness. She spoke to Efma’s Boris Plantier about her life and work.

Tell me a little about your background

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. My background is in engineering, but I have spent almost 20 years in IT, mostly in telecom billing and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. I have always been intrigued with technology innovation, especially by using technology to improve customer experience and deliver products and services that provide true value to consumers.

A few years ago, I started working at a nonprofit for financial technology innovation for older adults. It was there that I embarked on a new journey, one that is deeply focused on innovating for the aged and leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs who are otherwise ‘invisible’ in our innovation economy. I strongly believe that anyone with great ideas should have a chance to try and succeed, regardless of their gender, age, demographic or social circles. It was with that conviction that Unconventional Ventures was founded, to provide boutique consulting services to drive innovation for the improvement of systematic financial wellness. We connect founders to funders, provide mentorship to entrepreneurs, strategic advisory services to a broad set of corporates, and broaden opportunities for diversity within the ecosystem.