Offer at startup
Hey all, need help evaluating an offer from a startup. 150k in base, 0.03% in stock options, 50k sign on. This is in Seattle. They are a series D enterprise startup. Thoughts? Current TC: 205k YOE: 2
I’m ~3 YOE total, been at a series A (now B) startup in Seattle for 1.5 years of that. Was offered 92k base, after a year got bumped to 120k. No signing bonus, though I didn’t get competing offers or negotiate at all when I joined. ~0.1% in stock options with a really low strike price which over time will hopefully make up for the pay cuts. All that to say, sounds like you got a really strong offer. .03% for a series D is generous, though I’m not good at negotiating so my 2 cents is prolly not worth exactly that, lulz.
Well tbh, I am comparing this against a 200k FG offer which makes it particularly hard :( Also, give these are options, my understanding is they are a bit messy. For example, you have to pay taxes at the time of exercising the options. Also, I have no idea how the stock will dilute over time.
The chances of the stock being worth what you’d make at a fang is extremely low. Make sure you’re going for the right reasons...which I only believe is to gain massive experience compared to a big company setting. You’ll wear many hats and work your ass off. I think everyone should do it once at least in their career but if you’re doing it for the payoff I’d say re-evaluate your priorities. The only way to get rich at a startup is to be a co-founder. Anything else is a pipe dream.
Early engineers would be fine. Though I hate paying for optionsnwhen exercise... rsu better
so you’re giving up 50k in TC
Thanks everyone. I decided to play it safe and go with FAANG.
Strong.