[gamerDude]

Don't negotiate against yourself.

This question is all about how valuable you are to that company. Does hiring the team and getting the technology increase their profits by 10%, 100%, 1000%? How much value are you bringing to the new company?

And don't devalue yourself because you aren't VC funded. Don't negotiate against yourself into saying a lower number. Find out how much you think your worth and come with your thoughts to the table and negotiate with the acquihiring company.

[fleitz]

Fully agree, the bootstrap / vc funding metric is commoditization.

People pay a lot more for 'ancient grains' than 'hard winter red'.

[jtfairbank]

Can you explain your metaphor in the second sentence?