In the ever-evolving world of financial technology, few voices stand out as distinctly as Priya Jaiswal’s. With a formidable background in banking, business, and finance, Priya has become a trusted authority in market analysis, portfolio management, and international business trends. Her insights into how neurodiversity intersects with entrepreneurship and financial services offer a fresh perspective on an often-overlooked opportunity in the industry. Today, we dive into her personal experiences and expert opinions on how neurodiversity can be a superpower for entrepreneurs and a game-changer for financial services. Our conversation explores the unique strengths of neurodivergent individuals, innovative approaches to financial communication, and the untapped wealth potential in this space.
How has your personal experience with neurodiversity, particularly ADHD, influenced your journey as a pioneer in digital finance? Can you share a defining moment where this trait fueled your success?
I’ve been open about my ADHD diagnosis, and honestly, it’s been both a challenge and a gift in my career. One of the most defining moments came early on when I was pitching a groundbreaking digital payment solution to a group of investors. My brain’s tendency to skip minutiae and focus on the big picture allowed me to see connections others missed—I could envision how this tool would transform user behavior long before the data backed it up. I remember the room’s energy shifting as I spoke with raw passion, barely glancing at my notes because my mind was racing with ideas. That ability to hyperfocus on the vision, a hallmark of ADHD, landed us the funding we needed, a turning point that propelled my first venture forward. It wasn’t just about the money; it was a validation that my unconventional thinking was exactly what the industry needed.
What unique strengths do you believe neurodivergent individuals bring to entrepreneurship, and can you illustrate this with an example from your own ventures?
Neurodivergent individuals often bring a fresh, outside-the-box perspective to entrepreneurship, paired with an incredible resilience to uncertainty. In my own ventures, I’ve noticed how my ADHD-driven need for variety pushed me to innovate constantly. For instance, when I started my second company, I was bored with the status quo of customer onboarding in fintech—dry forms and endless fine print. My brain rebelled against that monotony, so I spearheaded a gamified onboarding app that turned a tedious process into an engaging experience. We saw user completion rates jump by over 30% in the first three months, a tangible result of thinking differently. That restlessness, often seen as a drawback, became a catalyst for solutions that others hadn’t even considered. It’s a strength I see in many neurodivergent entrepreneurs—turning perceived weaknesses into competitive edges.
You’ve spoken about financial blindness and how certain terms can be mental blockers for you. How has this shaped your approach to managing finances, and can you walk us through a specific challenge you tackled?
Financial blindness has been a real hurdle for me—terms like ‘pension’ just shut my brain down, almost like a physical wall comes up. This forced me to rethink how I handle both personal and business finances, leaning heavily on visual and intuitive tools rather than traditional statements. A specific challenge came when I had to review a complex revenue forecast for one of my companies. I couldn’t process the dense spreadsheet, so I worked with a designer to turn the numbers into a color-coded dashboard that felt more like a story than a data dump. I’d check it daily, almost like a game, seeing green for growth and red for risks—it made the abstract feel real. That adaptation not only helped me stay on top of cash flow but also inspired my team to adopt similar tools, making our financial discussions far more dynamic and accessible. It was a reminder that sometimes, the workaround becomes the better way.
You’ve suggested wealth managers inquire about neurodiversity diagnoses or comprehension challenges with clients. How do you imagine such a conversation playing out in a client meeting?
I envision this conversation as a gentle, empathetic starting point to build trust. Picture a wealth manager sitting across from a new client, starting not with numbers but with connection. They might ask, “Have you ever found financial topics tricky to navigate, or do you have any preferences for how we share information?” If the client hesitates or shares a diagnosis like ADHD, the manager could follow up with, “Thank you for sharing that—would it help if we used visuals or broke things down in shorter sessions?” I’ve seen in my own interactions how clients light up when they feel understood; one client once told me he felt ‘seen’ for the first time after I offered to explain investments through a quick sketch instead of a report. The response is often relief, followed by openness—clients start sharing their real struggles, paving the way for tailored advice. It’s less about labeling and more about creating a safe space to adapt.
Your idea of using podcasts or comic books for financial information is fascinating. How would you go about creating these formats, and what role could technology play in this?
I’m passionate about making financial info accessible, and alternative formats like podcasts or comic books are perfect for engaging diverse minds. The process starts with identifying the core message—say, explaining a retirement plan. I’d collaborate with a scriptwriter to distill complex jargon into a relatable story for a podcast, recording it with a conversational tone that feels like chatting with a friend over coffee. For a comic, I’d work with an illustrator to design characters facing financial dilemmas, making each panel a step toward understanding. I’ve done this informally in past projects, like when I turned a funding pitch into a storyboard for a client who couldn’t grasp written proposals—it clicked instantly. Technology, especially AI, can streamline this by generating scripts or initial designs, tailoring content to learning styles, and even translating it into multiple formats overnight. It’s about meeting people where they are, using tools that make the process scalable and impactful.
You’ve noted that improving financial services for neurodiverse individuals could benefit everyone. Can you paint a picture of how this broader impact might unfold in the finance industry?
Absolutely, I see this as a rising tide that lifts all boats. Imagine a bank revamping its app to prioritize simplicity for neurodiverse users—clear icons, voice-guided navigation, and bite-sized tutorials instead of walls of text. I recall a time when I struggled to use a banking portal and felt frustrated until a friend walked me through it verbally; if that guidance had been built into the system, my stress would’ve vanished. Rolling out these features wouldn’t just help someone like me—it would make the app more intuitive for seniors, non-native speakers, or anyone intimidated by financial tech. We’d see higher engagement across the board, fewer customer service calls, and a reputation for inclusivity that draws in diverse clients. It mirrors how dyslexia-friendly teaching methods improved literacy for all kids—it’s universal design at its best, turning a niche need into a mainstream win for the industry.
As someone who’s built and sold businesses, you’ve called neurodiversity a superpower for entrepreneurship. Can you highlight specific traits from your ADHD that drove your success, with a detailed example?
I truly believe my ADHD is a superpower in entrepreneurship, especially traits like hyperfocus and a knack for navigating uncertainty. These came into play vividly during the sale of my first fintech startup. The negotiation process was chaotic—multiple stakeholders, shifting terms, and tight deadlines—but my ability to zero in on the end goal kept me steady. I remember late-night sessions where I’d block out distractions and map out every possible outcome on a whiteboard, almost obsessively, until I could pitch our value with unshakable clarity. That hyperfocus turned a shaky deal into a successful exit, exceeding our initial valuation target by 15%. My comfort with change also let me pivot strategies mid-negotiation without losing momentum, a flexibility that traditional thinkers often lack. It’s these traits—intensity and adaptability—that I credit for turning challenges into triumphs in my career.
Neurodiverse entrepreneurs often drive significant wealth creation through trade sales and IPOs. How can the financial services industry better seize this opportunity, and what specific strategies would you recommend?
The financial services industry is sitting on a goldmine with neurodiverse entrepreneurs, who often represent ‘new money’ through trade sales and IPOs. To tap into this, firms need to build propositions that speak directly to this group’s needs—starting with education and trust. I’d recommend launching a dedicated advisory program focused on neurodiverse wealth creators, offering one-on-one coaching with advisors trained in alternative communication styles, like visual storytelling or interactive workshops. Picture a fintech platform hosting monthly webinars where successful neurodivergent founders share their journeys, paired with bite-sized tools for financial planning. From my own experience, I know I’d have jumped at a service that understood my financial blindness and offered solutions without judgment. This could attract a loyal client base, positioning the firm as a pioneer in inclusive wealth management while capturing a growing segment of high-net-worth individuals.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the role of neurodiversity in shaping the future of financial services?
I’m incredibly optimistic about the role neurodiversity will play in financial services over the next decade. I foresee a wave of innovation driven by the recognition of diverse cognitive styles, with firms competing to create the most inclusive tools and services—think AI-driven apps that adapt to individual learning needs in real time. We’ll likely see regulatory bodies pushing for accessibility standards, much like they’ve done for physical disabilities, which will force the industry to prioritize universal design. I’ve felt firsthand the frustration of being sidelined by traditional systems, so I believe this shift will not only empower neurodiverse individuals but also unlock creativity that benefits everyone. My hope is that in ten years, the question won’t be whether to accommodate neurodiversity, but how we ever managed without doing so. What excites me most is the potential for this to redefine how we think about financial inclusion altogether.
