[WinLychee]

Agree that the risk is overblown. Apart from the sometimes frantic pace, startups also have more flexibility for different personalities. In a small company things aren't standardized and there's room for uniqueness.

#4 to me is uncertain. I view startup equity as slightly better than a lottery ticket, but unlikely to beat RSUs in a public company unless you get super lucky.

[bb88]

> Apart from the sometimes frantic pace, startups also have more flexibility for different personalities.

Having worked at a small startup run by toxic founders, this is not guaranteed.

[throwaway230511]

Sure, but that's the "upside" that OP is talking about ("Very little upside for the risk they take"). Upside is a best case thing!

In terms of expected value, completely agree that it does not match BigTechCo total comp.