The loan approach is not a bad one as you stated because it reduces your risk, which may be why they offered it to you. The figure you would like to get paid.

The loan approach is not a bad one as you stated because it reduces your risk, which may be why they offered it to you. The figure you would like to get paid. The fact that you did the work at risk and have already taken risk, I would want ask for some above a hours * salary as the value of your contribution. Do they know you are willing to use the hours you have already worked as an investment into the company? They may be thinking that you would not like this offer. Another spin is to do what they are offering, and determine the value each one brings to the table, but allow you the option to make an investment into the company using the loan you have already given the company.