[VLM]

That shows a little problem, in that its probably not terribly difficult to find a "real employer" or some contract work paying over $16/hr 40 hrs/wk and then do something even cooler than the startup during your 40 hours "off".

If the startup is only looking for $7/hr caliber of employee, if you're worried about them making it big and missing out, get a "real" $30/hr job 40 hrs a week and out of that income hire a $7/hr noob to keep the startup entertained while you're at your real job. Essentially, subcontract your job.