Yep I totally agree. My point was not against startups, but more that if you have this as a real defined goal (not just saying it would be cool) you have to fo

Yep I totally agree. My point was not against startups, but more that if you have this as a real defined goal (not just saying it would be cool) you have to focus on the most likely methods to make it happen. Startups are not the most likely way to do it as cash based income is usually partially traded for equity. In most cases that equity is worthless or not worth the same amount you gave up taking the reduced salary. The rare cases are where it really pays off. So at least IMO you take a job at a startup not to "get rich" but because you believe in the mission and want to work with the team. If it works out that you win the startup lottery awesome, but to me it is the journey and intense learning that makes startups fun.