Thirty-year-old Revekka Palaiologou has been in Dubai for less than two years, but the Greek expat is already feeling the financial freedom offered by the UAE as the young co-founder and CEO of the Dion application. A Forbes ‘30 under 30’ alumnus, the tech entrepreneur shares her highs and lows and the lessons she’s learnt along the way.
If you had to write a letter to money, what would you say?
Thank you for the doors you’ve opened and the experiences you’ve made possible. What I value most is the time you create — time to focus on what matters.
How would you describe your relationship to money?
I view money as something to manage wisely. It’s not just about saving or spending, but about using it intentionally to achieve what matters most.
How do you think this relationship was formed?
This relationship was formed because I started working early. I always enjoyed earning my own money and having the freedom to decide how to spend it.
What lessons about money management did you learn from your mother?
My mum taught me the value of hard work and spending wisely. From a young age, I had to earn my allowance by running errands. This showed me the importance of working for what you have and using it carefully.
Who do you speak to about money matters?
I talk to my business partner and financial advisors. Money isn’t taboo to me; it’s a subject that requires transparency and confidence to master.
Who has taught you the most about financial management?
My mother taught me the basics of budgeting and avoiding debt, which laid a strong foundation for how I manage my finances today. As I grew older, I realised the importance of investing wisely to grow my money and secure my financial future.
What do you think has been the most profound experience you’ve had so far in relation to money and what has it taught you?
Launching Dion. Every decision — from funding to operational costs — has taught me the value of money as a resource that must be optimised and respected.
Living in the UAE has been fascinating because it exposes you to two extremes of wealth and lifestyle. It hasn’t changed my relationship with money, but has strengthened my goals, which are to succeed in what I do and to help those less fortunate.
If you could give your child or your younger self one piece of advice about money what would that be and why?
Invest in yourself early, whether through education, skills, or experiences; investing in yourself provides the greatest return.
What do you value spending money on?
Experiences that bring joy and growth — like travel, dining, and building my business.
What do you consider splashing out?
Buying designer clothing and accessories.
Do you long-term plan your finances, and if so, how?
I do plan my finances long-term, and a big part of that involves building Dion into a successful business.
What is your long-term goal or dream which is pegged to your finances?
To build Dion into a global brand and achieve financial independence that allows me to support causes I’m passionate about.
How much do you save each month?
I don’t focus on traditional savings, I prefer to invest my money instead. Investing pushes me to work harder and achieve more, as I don’t want to rely on a pension when I’m 65. For me, success means creating financial independence through growth and opportunity, not just saving for the future.
How much do you plan to have by the time you are 65?
I don’t have a specific number in mind, but I aim to create significant wealth much earlier by building successful ventures like Dion. My goal is to have enough to pursue ‘moonshot’ ambitious projects, like Bryan Johnson’s work on anti-ageing.
What is your greatest financial decision?
The financial decision I’m most proud of was investing a considerable amount, including all my savings at the time, into a start-up where I was one of the five co-founders and working part-time. While I ultimately lost the money, it taught me invaluable lessons.
Most importantly, it was the first time I collaborated with my current co-founder, which led us to work full-time together on Dion.
