[refurb]

The CEOs who get $1/yr have huge equity positions that mean they will receive a serious payout if they and the company succeeds.

I'm pretty sure none of them would work at a job that the total compensation was $1/yr.

[nine_k]

A founder of a startup may be _losing_ money at huge pace during the first few years. People working for charity might do it without being paid.

But you're right, they can afford it because their material needs are already addressed.