Dannika Warburton on building a trusted name in investor relations

Photo courtesy of Investability.

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As Australia approaches the end of 2025, IPO activity has remained selective, with capital markets continuing to favor companies that demonstrate preparedness and clear communication. For listed and pre-IPO firms alike, one ongoing challenge is maintaining consistent engagement with investors after the initial listing phase.

Sydney-based investor relations advisory Investability was established in 2020 to address this post-listing communication gap. Founded by former investment banker Dannika Warburton, the firm works with pre-IPO and small-cap companies on investor messaging, engagement strategies, and market positioning.

Establishing a boutique model during market disruption

Investability began operations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when traditional investor engagement methods—such as in-person roadshows and conferences—were significantly disrupted. According to Warburton, the environment influenced the firm’s initial strategy.

“From the start, our focus was on providing tailored support rather than standardized materials,” Warburton said. “The uncertainty in the market meant companies needed advice that reflected their specific circumstances.”

Since its launch, Investability reports that it has worked with more than 70 clients and supported equity raisings totaling approximately AUD $1 billion, as well as merger and acquisition transactions valued at over AUD $450 million. These figures are based on internal company records.

Limiting scale to maintain engagement capacity

Unlike larger investor relations agencies that manage a high volume of accounts, Investability limits its active client roster to between 10 and 15 companies at any given time. The firm states that this approach is intended to allow for closer involvement in each client’s investor communication strategy.

Warburton attributes this approach to her professional background across both buy-side and sell-side roles, including positions at Citi and GMP Securities, as well as her postgraduate training in applied finance.

“Having worked on both sides of capital markets, I’m conscious of how quickly investor confidence can be affected by unclear or inconsistent messaging,” she said.

While many investor relations firms have increased their reliance on automation and AI-driven communications tools, Investability has adopted technology selectively. The company is currently testing an internally developed analytics platform designed to monitor investor sentiment and engagement trends.

Warburton describes the platform as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for direct advisory work. “Technology can help identify patterns,” she said, “but investor relationships still depend on context, judgment, and communication.”

The platform remains in beta testing and has not yet been released commercially.

Engagement with the SMSF investor segment

One focus area for Investability has been engagement with self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs), which collectively manage an estimated AUD $1.05 trillion in assets, according to data from the Australian Taxation Office.

The firm has developed online events, digital briefings, and educational investor content aimed at retail and SMSF investors. Investability reports increases in attendance and engagement across several client campaigns, though individual results vary depending on market conditions and company performance.

Managing expansion while retaining focus

As Investability enters its sixth year, the firm is expanding its team and planning investor engagement initiatives in Australia, Europe, and the United States. Warburton says the company is approaching growth cautiously.

“Expansion brings operational challenges,” she said. “Our priority is ensuring that each engagement continues to receive the level of attention we commit to.”

According to the company, recent mandates have included collaborations with larger financial institutions, following extended due-diligence processes.

An approach centered on process and clarity

In a sector where investor relations, marketing, and public relations often overlap, Investability positions its role as advisory rather than promotional. The firm’s work focuses on aligning company disclosures, investor messaging, and engagement strategies within regulatory and market expectations.

“There are limits to what communication alone can do,” Warburton said. “Our role is to help companies present information clearly and consistently, particularly during periods of market volatility.”

As market conditions continue to evolve, Investability’s model reflects one approach to balancing scale, technology, and direct advisory involvement in investor relations.