[RobertL]

When all else fails you have to go look for a job.

I never really got emotional about failed startups. I just took the code and the experience and used it as much as possible when I went on to the next project.

This is one of the neat things about software development. When you are the coder you own the code regardless of any agreements that were signed. They can "sequester" the actual code on the hard drive. That's fine, but they can't sequester what's in your head.

If your startup is an internet business or a software product then the worst case scenario is that you will have a lot of code and a lot of knowledge for jump starting your next startup.