[mcafeeryan92]

I see a lot of talk about comp, and that is 100% an issue (particularly considering the time-value of money, that every year that you're earning more money you can earn ~10% long-term on that in your IRA/401k).

But, considering there is only so much money that startups have access to, and most early employees are not primarily motivated by money (I would hope, or else they are likely quite naive), the biggest let-down I've experienced as an early employee, that would have made up for the lower comp, would be actual access to the founders' networks and learning opportunities.

If being an early employee meant getting to meet with investors and help the founder raise money (and make an impression on those investors), if it meant being actively involved in the struggles of the founders involved in running a startup, then I suspect those of us who wish to start our own startup some day would consider that a reasonably attractive opportunity to really learn those skills and build their network.

[mcafeeryan92]

The other thing that I think would be great if YCombinator threw their weight behind would be lobbying for universal healthcare.

I (and many others, I presume) would be much less risk-averse and more likely to start a startup or work at a startup if healthcare wasn't so expensive. One of the biggest benefits of working at a big company is their good health insurance, which many startups are lacking. So not only do you get paid less at startups, but your costs are higher if you or anyone in your family gets sick.

[itgoon]

I like this. I'd be more open to lower compensation if it meant that I would have opportunities to open my own shop.