[jtbigwoo]

One more thing from someone who survived a couple startup bubbles: Don't value shares as more than a dollar or two unless the company is the equivalent of Microsoft in the 1990's. It's easy to talk yourself into a "small" valuation of $10 or $20/share when the shares are much more likely to be worth $0.

[csbowe]

There is really no way of knowing how much those options are worth without knowing the size of the pool and valuation of the company, anyhow. I treat these as monopoly money unless I actually know what percent of the company I'm being given. Lots of things, namely reverse splits, before an exit can greatly affect the value of those shares!

[aaronbrethorst]

    I treat these as monopoly money unless
    I actually know what percent of the
    company I'm being given.

Knowing your percentage doesn't make it any less monopoly money. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5771831

[StockOptionCnsl]

Right! This falls under "Run the Numbers" in the Upstart Blog Post. It is not possible to compare an offer of equity without the info you described and some thoughtful attention to how YOU value that equity.

[MakeUsersWant]

Some companies fire people right before the shares vest. Then they really are worth $0.