> Founders don't have to do that (surprise) Founders do, but the taxable amount is zero. You can do this too as an employee, by early-exercising your entire gr

> Founders don't have to do that (surprise) Founders do, but the taxable amount is zero. You can do this too as an employee, by early-exercising your entire grant on the day you join (assuming your company allows it). However, it's probably not advantageous to do this unless you're an early employee, because you're exposed to all the risk, and that money is now completely illiquid. > and neither do VC Correct, but VCs aren't getting their shares at a below market price (which is the whole point of options - you generally exercise them when they're "in the money", ie, cheaper than the market price).