>Is the presumption that founders and investors are not trying to screw employees? I think the presumption is that all parties act in their own self-interest.

>Is the presumption that founders and investors are not trying to screw employees? I think the presumption is that all parties act in their own self-interest. For some founders that means compensating employees with equity, for others that means keeping equity to themselves and relying on cash compensation for employees. Without talking about specific situations I don't think you can ascribe malice to either choice.