Many founders assume venture capital is the natural next step once a startup begins gaining traction. Yet strong products, growing customers, and even healthy revenue often fail to convince investors....

The article discusses how Telstra's technical issues, exacerbated by the absence of CEO Vicki Brady during a critical period, have sparked broader conversations about corporate governance. While politicians debate the implications of Brady's holiday in Europe, analysts are more focused on systemic risks facing the telco. A software fault caused an unexpected network outage that cascaded into a 12-hour disruption, raising questions about contingency planning and leadership accountability. The incident underscores vulnerabilities in infrastructure management and highlights the importance of having robust protocols during executive leave. Investors are closely monitoring how Telstra addresses these operational challenges, with concerns extending beyond this single event to long-term strategic stability. The situation has sparked discussions about balancing corporate responsibility with shareholder expectations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.