Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: In the world of finance, few leaders have as deep a commitment to investor education and innovation as Priyadarsi Bal, the Country Head of PACE. Bal’s journey with PACE began in 2007 as a junior manager, and today, he stands at the helm, overseeing retail broking operations, advertising, and brand-building exercises across India. His leadership has been pivotal in making PACE a household name in the financial services sector.
Bal’s rise to prominence is rooted in his academic foundation. Hailing from Kendrapara, Odisha, he completed his schooling and graduation in commerce before pursuing an MBA in Finance from Madurai. He briefly worked for six months at a private equity firm in Mumbai before joining PACE. His hands-on experience and strategic vision have fuelled PACE’s evolution over the past decade, transforming it into a premier boutique financial institution that now operates in over 75 cities across India and serves clients in 34 countries.
PACE, established in 1995, initially began as a National Stock Exchange (NSE) broker. Under Bal’s leadership, it has expanded its operations and reputation. It now offers a wide range of services catering to both institutional and individual investors. Bal has been instrumental in introducing innovative solutions like the Pocketful platform, a discount broking firm similar to Zerodha and Groww, which allows individuals to trade seamlessly using their mobile devices or laptops.
Priyadarsi Bal has also spearheaded several initiatives aimed at promoting financial literacy. He is a firm believer in the idea that while India’s general literacy rates are improving, financial literacy still lags behind, and this gap needs to be closed to foster economic growth. Through PACE’s efforts, Bal has organized numerous seminars, investor education programs, and awareness drives across India. These events, often in collaboration with SEBI, MCX, and other key financial institutions, aim to demystify the stock market and provide practical knowledge to retail investors.
In recent times, Bal has been instrumental in promoting Pocketful, a service led by founder Sarvam Goel, designed to further enhance accessibility to stock trading and investments across the country. This partnership aligns with Bal’s long-term vision of democratizing financial services and empowering individual investors.
Bal is dedicated to expanding the Pocketful service, which offers simple and accessible financial tools, particularly for new investors, alongside Sarvam Goel, across the nation. His efforts are helping to position Pocketful as a key player in the discount broking space, driving increased engagement from everyday investors.
At the core of Bal’s vision is the belief that financial literacy is not only about making informed investments but also about contributing to the broader economic landscape. He emphasizes the importance of starting small, gaining the right education, and gradually building wealth through informed decisions. His philosophy has helped PACE maintain its position as a trusted partner for both high-net-worth individuals and retail investors.
Currently, Priyadarsi Bal’s prime focus is Odisha. As he emphasizes, “Odisha is growing rapidly in the eastern part of India, and it’s high time to intervene!” Despite its progress in several areas, Odisha’s contribution to the Indian capital market remains negligible. Financial literacy among the local population is still lacking, and unless this gap is addressed, broader economic goals will remain elusive.
Bal has taken on the challenge of improving financial literacy across every district in Odisha, leveraging seminars and other educational tools to raise awareness. His goal is to ensure that the people of Odisha are empowered with the knowledge to make their own investment decisions and actively participate in the financial market.
PACE’s operations are divided into two primary entities: PACE Financial Services, which focuses on stock and commodity markets, and PACE 360°, a wealth management and advisory service. Bal has been instrumental in ensuring that both arms of the company work cohesively to provide comprehensive financial solutions. This strategic approach has earned PACE recognition as one of the top investment advisors in India by CNBC and ICRA.
Through his leadership, Priyadarsi Bal is not only steering PACE toward continued success but also making a lasting impact on the Indian financial sector. His dedication to education, innovation, and accessibility has helped bridge the gap between financial knowledge and investment practice, shaping a more financially aware and economically empowered India.
Bal’s efforts, particularly in his home state of Odisha, are a testament to his commitment to financial inclusion. By promoting financial literacy and ensuring that even small investors have access to the right resources, he is paving the way for a more robust, participatory financial ecosystem across the country.
