| Startup 1: $50k for 1 year (in the 90s, do the math what it would be right now) Big company for some time Startup 2: $0 for 2 years Startup 3: $0 for 2 years Startup 4: $0 for 2 years Startup 5: $500k for 4 years Startup 6: $1m for 1 year (still somewhat in play because 3/4 of my options got converted into the options of a public company as a result of acquisition, and I got RSU handcuffs on top of that) All numbers before tax.
I hope I'm done with my startup adventures. Lost taste for it. Financially, based on my experience, startups do not make any sense as an employee. Mentally, Startup 5 made me question my faith in humanity. |
Absolutely. Also note that you are an extreme outlier for having had a 7 figure payoff.
Most people who spent their entire career in startups will be lucky to see a 6 figure payoff at any point.