> Note: stock options are not stocks. You're not given a share in the company, you're given the opportunity to invest in the company. You have to put money in to _potentially_ get money back.

As a technicality that's true, but irrelevant in practice. Employees receiving options are nearly always going to do a same day sale where the option is excercised and immediately sold and you get the difference. No need to put any money in.