[patio11]

Suffice it to say that, because the trajectory of a company which goes to $10 million a year in sales and then exits at $50 million is quite different than one which IPOs, including having likely a far smaller number of employees and stock grants set more by "what a founder felt appropriate for his five closest friends" rather than "how to split 20% 200 ways", a $50 million exit can and has been a motivating event for some employees.

For more detail on this, talk to people.