Our Team | Datt Capital

Our Team

Emanuel Datt - Principal

Emanuel Datt founded Datt Capital in 2018 and holds ultimate responsibility for the performance of our Absolute Return Funds and Small Companies funds. With over 16 years of investment management experience, Emanuel brings practical expertise from private family businesses in commercial real estate, tourism and medical sectors, a background that enhances his ability to evaluate undervalued companies in Australia.
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Emanuel has a strong interest in early-stage innovation and has provided seed capital and commercialisation guidance for a number of startups. He invests significantly alongside Datt Capital’s clients, reinforcing a culture of alignment and accountability.

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Commerce (International Business), Deakin University
Master in Applied Finance (Corporate Finance), Macquarie University
Graduate and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Beyond Datt Capital, Emanuel is a director of the Datt Family Foundation, a charitable trust focused on alleviating childhood homelessness and supporting disadvantaged children. Emanuel’s market views are regularly sought by Australian financial media including The Australian Financial Review, The Australian, LiveWire Markets, AusBiz, The Motley Fool and Morningstar. He was recently featured on the Australian Investor's Podcast.

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Tony Yi Gu - Head of Research

Tony leads Datt Capital’s research function, performing detailed due diligence on investment opportunities and researching thematic strategies. Prior to joining Datt Capital, Tony co-founded several startups in Shanghai, China, and acted as an angel investor, giving him valuable exposure to early-stage innovation and global venture capital networks. During this time, Tony built relationships and engaged with well-known venture capital funds and private capital sources, experience that enhances his ability to identify overlooked investment opportunities globally.

Before this, Tony served as Chief Operating Officer for Wealth Electronics, a substantial private family business and a leading automotive component supplier in China. In this role, Tony was responsible for ensuring seamless delivery of services to a range of Fortune 500 multinational automotive manufacturers, managing operational excellence and client relationships at a global scale.

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Commerce (Finance & Accounting), Melbourne University
Master of Applied Finance, Monash University

Tony’s role reflects Datt Capital’s commitment to rigorous primary research and independent thinking, critical to identifying special investment opportunities that may be overlooked by mainstream market participants.

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Daniel Liptak - Head of Distribution

Daniel leads Datt Capital’s distribution and investor relations, overseeing engagement with existing and prospective investors and ensuring clear communication of the firm’s strategies. He brings extensive experience from senior leadership roles across global financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Deloitte, where he developed a deep understanding of funds management and client relationship management.

Over his career, Daniel has published research and reports and contributed articles to respected financial publications. His insights have been featured in the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, The Australian, and the Australian Financial Review. He has also been invited to share his expertise as a keynote speaker at alternative investment conferences internationally.

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Science, Adelaide University
Bachelor of Arts (Accounting), University of South Australia
Graduate Diploma in Finance

Daniel is also a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and holds Series 7 qualifications. His role at Datt Capital reflects the firm’s commitment to building strong investor relationships and delivering transparent, informed communication across diverse market environments.

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A Word From Our Team

"We are committed to maintaining top-decile performance across its strategies. With a focus on disciplined execution, active management, and strong alignment with investors, we aim to consistently deliver returns that rank among the best in their respective peer groups."

— Emanuel Ajay Datt, Principal

"We are business operators turned investors—bringing real-world experience and deep commercial understanding to identify businesses with long-term value. Our proprietary research platform, developed over nearly a decade, supports a disciplined investment approach underpinned by rigorous analysis and a clear pursuit of truth."

— Tony Yi Gu, Partner

"Our principals are the largest investors in the firm’s funds, committing a significant share of their own capital. This deep alignment with investors, combined with a disciplined, research-led approach and full staff ownership, ensures that every decision is made with investor outcomes at the forefront."

— Daniel Liptak, Distribution Manager