I have been tech lead of a startup for about 3 years. I took a pay cut when I joined from 150k down to 110k when I joined. In this time I have not taken or asked for a raise. Not complaining because that’s just what it takes to work in a tech startup. I, along with my small team have built the entire technical stack from the ground up since joining 3 years ago. We have grown quite quickly over the past year and after various pre and seed rounds are approaching Series A financing. My CEO has told me several times that when we fund Series A, I without hesitation am going to take over VP of Engineering. My question is, what should I ask for as a raise from tech lead to VP? My first thoughts are to get back to what I was at before I took a pay cut. But from looking at average salaries that is still quite low for a VP. Curious on peoples thoughts on what i should reasonably ask for. TC: 210k Salary: 110k Equity: 100k
“that’s what it takes for a tech startup” lol. not really but ok. as for your q on raises, title is irrelevant. responsibility is the only important aspect. And it sounds like until they hire more folks, you’re still just a tech lead or small m1 mgr. But it sounds like you’re down for the gamble, so why don’t you figure out what you think the company/equity is worth in your mind and how much you think you can move that needle. And then figure out an equity ask before you get diluted in series A. cause frankly 40k cash extra is kind of not even worth the effort asking in an strapped startup
This comment literally says nothing lmao
iykyk. seems like you don’t. but i doubt you’ve ever been in the situation so I forgive you for thinking the nuance doesn’t matter
Your current salary is extremely low. I joined a startup 10 years ago as an M1 manager. My base was $190k I had equity and received bonus. The company and public and I made some cash from the IPO but not a lot. Get you salary now while you can equity is a crapshoot and not really worth it unless you are at openAI or something similar.
Did you join before their first real round of funding? If not, your experience is very different and not applicable.
Thanks for adding zero value
Avg VP TC is 1M. Nobody is going to give you that from your current TC. Try doubling your TC at the very least.
no VP is paid that much in an early stage startup. not even in paper money.
VP of eng at a real Series A right now makes $250k-$300k base + equity typically valued at about $1m but with a 4 year vest attached to it. Annual TC is something like $500k but obviously you're hoping that equity goes up in value to make it all worth it. At least that's what you have to pay to attract actual VP level talent to your startup. Anybody can give themselves any title they want. Plenty of "CTO"s have less management experience than your typical big company line managers. It does seem that OP is in that bucket.