[wikwocket]

Do you have interest in equity? If so, absolutely ask about it. It is one of many levers you can pull to make the offer fair and desirable for you. If you pursue it, make sure you understand their offer though. There are many "gotchas" with equity that can make it worthless.

You mention their offer is 12% less than your current salary, but how does it compare to industry averages in your region? If they have funding and a roadmap, they may be able to pay market salaries, or even a premium for top talent. Are you willing to take a pay cut or less than market rate to do work you love/get in on the ground floor?

Most of all, I would encourage you to negotiate whatever offer they make. Trying to negotiate never hurts, and can make a big difference. Figure out what your bottom line is, what the value you provide is, your best alternative to working for them, and then confidently ask them what they can do for you.

[daktanis]

Fair advise. I am willing to take a paycut to work there, but ideally if/when the product hits the market I'd like to be compensated for taking that cut. The business side of this industry is still kinda of fuzzy to me, and I didn't want to go around asking for the wrong things. Being a private company with the one founder and three investors what is fair to ask for?

[falsestprophet]

What is fair to ask for? The market rate and not a penny less.