Guaranteed money versus startup mission and upside
The decision forces a choice between guaranteed money in a stable situation and the exciting mission and upside of a startup. People end up flip-flopping daily because they are torn between the fear of giving up savings and retirement matches for founder-level hours with low equity, and the fear of regretting missing out on a chance that seems cool as hell.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Push for a higher base salary, higher equity percentage, relocation bonus, and written severance terms before decidingDid this help you?
- 2Rent out the home in the low-cost city to hold onto the asset while renting with a roommate in the new cityDid this help you?
- 3Evaluate the offer based purely on cash and assume the equity will be worth zeroDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“If the startup matched the pay I’d probably stay, but I doubt that fixes the boredom or stress.”source ↗
“Would you take the guaranteed money at 28, or stay for the mission and upside?”source ↗
“Are bad company-wide reviews a red flag if the team and manager seem good?”source ↗
“Ultimately if I stay I'll be fine, thankfully as my current salary is great I don't struggle for money - but I'm super torn. help me pls!!!!”source ↗
“First employee at a 3-person YC-backed startup, in-person in SF, full-time - I would be the 3rd person / first employee.”source ↗
“I am scared to take this chance and that excites me - but I don't know if it is unwise to leave such a stable and chill situation.”source ↗
“0.5% feels low for employee #1 at a YC company”source ↗
“I'm afraid I'll be expected to work like a founder with staff-level pay and equity”source ↗
“If the company fails, I've given up my job and my 6% match, and I'm landlording from across the country”source ↗
“Worried that my breakup in July is clouding my judgment and making me want to "run-away" - but I also think this is a chance that I would regret not taking - it seems cool as hell.”source ↗
“I flip-flop daily.”source ↗
“I would have less savings in SF - even with a roomate.”source ↗
“my gut says go for it while I can afford to lose it all.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4What changes when moving from a startup to a big company?
- 2Is it worth leaving a stable job for a better location?
- 16Should I register a business before making any money?
- 2Should I take a higher-paying job if money is going to be tight?
- 19Should I keep going with my stagnating business or quit?
- 4Is the Big 4 name really worth it in the long run?