Ask HN: Reasonable equity for early employees?

Re:Ask HN: Reasonable equity for early employees? by dfnord on Saturday January 15, 2011 @05:55PM (#2108045)

Thanks for giving more of a entrepreneur perspective. I agree with you on that it is not a co-founder equity. However, I get the impression that VC would have a heart attack before even considering a better deal.

Considering the deal includes a trigger with very beneficial acceleration mechanism, I don't see them giving in more, on what already seams like an outstanding deal from the VC's perspective (the founders are relying on the VC's expertise on such deals, as they are not that familiar on what is standard and what is not).

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Re:Ask HN: Reasonable equity for early employees? by brudgers on Saturday January 15, 2011 @09:35PM (#2108455)

Without considering the deal side, an above market salary is attractive from an employee standpoint and if you will be satisfied as an employee the job deserves strong consideration. 1% equity is a nice fringe benefit of the job even if it ultimately pays out very little.

But from a deal standpoint, there really doesn't appear to be one. Acceleration won't trump liquidation preference and it is likely the equity is simply being pulled from the options pool. The slice assigned to filling the position reflects the value placed on the role you are considering. It's not Steve Balmer's 8% as employee #30 and it probably won't cure the entrepreneurial virus if you are infected.

Good luck.

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