Getting job at a normal company is also "safer" than joining a startup for just equity. This cash value will once be eligible for conversion to equity at a dec

Getting job at a normal company is also "safer" than joining a startup for just equity. This cash value will once be eligible for conversion to equity at a decent discount. I personally see this as stock compensation on steroids. With pure stock compensation there is no chance to recover any cash whatsoever if company fails, also prior stake estimation may be unfair (i.e. overestimated or underestimated).