[matthudson]

> If you're employee #30 and your share is 0.05%, that might be fair if it's a biotech that has already taken a $100M infusion from the venture capitalists (who'll typically take 90%, in that case).

Could you point me in the direction of some sources that back up the "90% [in the typical case]" claim? I'm genuinely interested in learning more.

[crapshoot101]

It isn't a claim that can be backed up more than anecdotally - it's the typical jihad without real data.

[michaelochurch]

Biotech has different rules. Investments tend to be much larger but the Vc's get a larger percentage. It's probably fairer and more straightforward than what happens to most web startups, where the initial take is a small percentage but the Vc's demand rapid growth and risk-taking. (That is, I'd rather the VC's take 90% upfront for $100 million than take 20% but ensure, by how they manage the company and the risks they force me to take, that they get 90% of the upside in the end.)