For coherent conversation assume startup founder from inception to series B and a SWE from startup to FAANG 8 YOE.
Nothing else to do on Saturday night?
Nope
Founder
Why? TC would be much higher for SWE through those 8 years
More upside
No poll = PIP
Done
What are the odds of going all the way to series B? Do you have that data ?? Obviously founder with successful startup is great, why not everyone’s doing that though?
No odds needed I'm setting the situation so it can be comparable. Series B is not successful. No startup is successful until it has exited or become profitable.
75% of founders make under $60k. If the average startup last 7-8 years they will be at a series B level. High flying startups are series E by this time and planning towards an IPO.
Series B to a liquidity event can be a long path with no certainty. Being an early employee at FAANG has far higher tc, stability, wlb.
Two different personalities, skill sets, and risk-tolerance levels. A founder is pursuing a vision. I would pick Swe since I like stability
I mean, if I can pick a startup that is going to be a 10+ figure exit, IDGAF - take a seat and hold on. Otherwise, I’d take the $$. If it’s be a founder or SWE at an early stage startup you’re asking, founder 100%.
No exit garunteed, that's part of being a founder, hence the comparison.
Why would you work for someone when you have opportunity to have someone work for you?
Everyone has the opportunity to become a founder, I'm not sure what you mean.
Assuming you have an excellent idea on your hand to be a founder and have the money to back it up. There is no brainer why would you not pursue it
What?
Would you rather be a startup founder or a code monkey?
Depends. Very situational