AI hardware startup offer evaluation

Intel
sha20sha15

Go to company page Intel

sha20sha15
Dec 21, 2021 67 Comments

Hi,

I have an offer for AI hardware startup for senior engineering manager (AI software) role.

Base: 225K
Sign on: 25K
Stock options: 55K (~330K based on last valuation)

My current TC is 250K with Intel and with pay adjustment and likely promotion it will be around 300K starting 2022.

The startup is not negotiating further.
#hardware #AIhardware #ai #startup #software

*******EDIT*********

Thanks everyone for the inputs. I have declined the offer.

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TOP 67 Comments
  • New
    logicbits

    New

    logicbits
    Total YOE? YOE as a manager?
    Dec 21, 2021 7
    • Intel
      hgt6489

      Go to company page Intel

      hgt6489
      @op

      Without name no one can give you good advice.

      It's anon anyway.
      Dec 21, 2021
    • Lighthouse Global
      recruitmax

      Lighthouse Global

      recruitmax
      C is still pretty early days..sub 1b usually. With a 10x upside and potential more grants you may do okay. Intels stock is going nowhere in comparison
      Dec 21, 2021
  • Google
    SundayPich

    Go to company page Google

    SundayPich
    Ai hardware startup are never gonna 100x. So doesn’t make any sense to go if you are not a 1% ownership of the company.
    Dec 21, 2021 3
  • Intel
    XcDI80

    Go to company page Intel

    XcDI80
    Depends on what you want. I've heard about the culture at a few AI HW startups and all sweatshops, almost like 996 Chinese culture.

    But, good if you want a challenge. Could also get rich but keep in mind pre-IPO stock options are just lottery tickets.
    Dec 21, 2021 0
  • NVIDIA
    lotun

    Go to company page NVIDIA

    lotun
    Make a spreadsheet.
    Put down several rows for possible exit outcomes. From firesale to $10B+ IPO. Assign likelihood probability to each (adding up to 100%). Be honest with yourself and not driven by hype. Most likely outcome is a firesale. Second most likely is sale where founders and investors do OK, but you get peanuts. To me, this is the worst outcome, because even if you think they should hold out for more, it's out of your control. There's a chance of windfall, but be realistic. Space is hyper competitive.
    Calculate expected value of comp and equity in your time horizon. Do same for Intel. Adjust each by quality of benefits and WLB.
    Compare and make decision.
    Dec 22, 2021 9
    • Intel / Eng
      pleb

      Go to company page Intel Eng

      pleb
      Nvidia is right. Founders aren't always honest. They might paint you a grandiose picture of IPO of billions and shaping up the industry but behind the scenes work on a sale for a much more modest price that puts a few tens of millions in their pocket so they can move on to the next venture. You'll be left to pick up the dust.

      There is an industry within the industry. That of VCs and founders and executives. They all know each other, they all vouch for each other, they inflate the companies then sell them to their friends who use corporate money for acquisition. The VCs get their profit from corporate money, the founders get their share + well paid position at the corporation, the execs build empires and maybe get some kick-backs from VCs too. Rinse and repeat.
      Dec 23, 2021
    • NVIDIA
      lotun

      Go to company page NVIDIA

      lotun
      Startups are good to go to when you have no opportunity cost, like if you get laid off during a recession. But you have to go pre series A, IMO. Once they get serious investors, equity grants turn to peanuts.
      Dec 23, 2021
  • Apple
    stonks_d

    Go to company page Apple

    stonks_d
    It must be “Mythic AI” startup
    Dec 21, 2021 2