That isn't the question I meant to ask. What I mean is say you have a company and get an lower offer now. Should you take it? (assume that maximizing money is your goal) If the company is at the peak of course you should, it isn't the big offer you hoped for, but it is the best you can ever get.

There are a lot of startups that fail. Then there are a fair number that do okay, but never really get big. Then there are a tiny number that gets big.