Restated: Pick the right startup, grit your teeth, work there for the 10+ years it takes to go public, and trust it won't steal your equity, a la Zynga. Even i

Restated: Pick the right startup, grit your teeth, work there for the 10+ years it takes to go public, and trust it won't steal your equity, a la Zynga. Even if you do pick the right startup, you should be able to leave to pursue other interests, keeping the equity you earned as part of your compensation. Without a longer exercise window, employees can be trapped.