[bruce511]

I concur. If you are -asking- this question, then VC startup isn't for you.

If you are asking this question, then bootstrapping really isn't for you.

That's OK. There are these 3 very different employment models for a reason. They appeal to different people. Neither is better than the others.

While the original question is about immediate financial reward, that's only one part of the equation. Other parts include risk, control, secureness, impact, potential etc.

Ultimately the path for you depends on your personal value to each attribute. For the best possible returns, at lowest risk, go be an employee. For most control, good potential, mid-risk, bootstrap. For high risk, massive potential (but most likely implosion) go VC. All