Thanks for your thoughts. The cash component doesn't worry me at this stage and you're right, the options basically aren't worth anything initially. That said

Thanks for your thoughts. The cash component doesn't worry me at this stage and you're right, the options basically aren't worth anything initially. That said, there are many things that can cause someone to leave a company: pressed for cash, overseas family in need, not getting along with the team, etc... Should something like this happen, I would leave after having invested 1, 2 years into the startup without having had the chance benefit from what I helped build. Lastly, it's not really about the grant per se. It's a startup. The odds aren't in our favor. But it's more about what is fair - it seems fair to me to reward employees for their efforts without such a long cliff. Thanks again!