Series D startup VS VMWare offers

Oracle / IT
MaNt62

Go to company page Oracle IT

MaNt62
Aug 2, 2021 8 Comments

Hi Guys,

I recently signed an offer from Series D startup, but received an offer from VMWare, too.
Both positions are:
Location: Bay area
Position: Senior Software Engineer
I have CS MS (non US, but one of top universities) + 7years(YOE) and am a H-1B holder.

Here are the offers:
1. SeriesD startup
Base: $200K
Bonus: 10%
Sign on: $10K
Equity: 20K options / 4 years and strike price $11 (estimated price: 19 - 30)
Estimated TC: 200K + 20K + ((20K / 4 * between(19 - 30)) = between(95K - 142.5K)) + 10K = between($325K - 372.5K)
About company: They have got about 235M funding from 11investors and their valuation is 1.2B now (Unicorn). Its product is SaaS and can see good news about funding and collaboration w/ big tech company this year.
NOTE: I exceptionally got the documented promise to start my GC after Day1 to minimize my VISA risk.
2. VMWare
Base: 200K
Bonus: 17%
Sign on: 12K
RSU: $300K / 4 years
Estimated TC: 200K + 34K + 12K + 73K = $319K
About team: One of SaaS teams
NOTE: when I check Levels.Fyi, its offer is good: https://www.levels.fyi/?compare=Oracle,VMware&track=Software%20Engineer.

I believe that everybody knows risk about startup while VMWare's offer is safe.
Also, I will become an asXXole if I decline the signed offer and accepted the one from VMware. But I need to consider the new offer at this time.
I really appreciate your opinions.
#startup #vmware

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TOP 8 Comments
  • IBM
    devzz

    Go to company page IBM

    devzz
    I’d say go for the startup. They’ve made it to Series D so they’re on track for an IPO. If they do file, you’ll get a nice return as compared to VM. Also depends on if you’re passionate about the startup mission.
    Aug 2, 2021 2
    • New
      geou51

      New

      geou51
      I work for a series D and used to work at IBM. much better than IBM
      Aug 5, 2021
    • Oracle / IT
      MaNt62

      Go to company page Oracle IT

      MaNt62
      OP
      I am currently working at Oracle and this old fashion company annoys me frequently. I think that VMWare is a good and stable company, however I also selected the younger one, series d startup, for my next company. Definitely it will be more intense, but I expect more funs.
      Aug 5, 2021
  • Your calculation for startup seems not correct. If the strike price is 11 and assume the preferred share price is 30, most of ppl will think the equity worth 30*20k, or at least (30-11)*20k
    Aug 2, 2021 2
  • Remeber if you leave at end of 4 yrs , you need to shell out 20k*11 amount to get those options, in case there is no IPO or liquidation event . Do you want to invest that kind of your personal saving ?
    Generally employers give 90 days after your last day to complete this transaction and then latter god knows how much more time for IPO .
    Aug 6, 2021 1
    • Oracle / IT
      MaNt62

      Go to company page Oracle IT

      MaNt62
      OP
      I agree. My main concerns are also the point and VISA when I join startup. But in my current company, I am fully demotivated and lose my career goal. I am a top performer, but Oracle has some fuc*king no reward culture. It makes me unhappy and my career goal unclear. In the startup, my mission is clear that I have to contribute the product which is not mature and help them for IPO even if I cannot bet IPO in 4years. But the mission motivates me enough.
      Aug 6, 2021