Again, if you really think that there is a significant chance that you will get screwed over by the founders, then don't join the startup. Joining a startup is

Again, if you really think that there is a significant chance that you will get screwed over by the founders, then don't join the startup. Joining a startup is, in no small part, a bet on the founders, and it requires that you take some risk yourself. Yes, a lot of early employees have ended up with worthless stock. That's the risk they took. There are also a lot who have become very rich.