I've worked at a few startups in the relatively early days. My impression is that aside from money, early employees want to be appreciated for the success they

I've worked at a few startups in the relatively early days. My impression is that aside from money, early employees want to be appreciated for the success they helped build. People who were there when under 100 employees are less accepting of employee 500. Not always, but often enough. And those same employees can get preferential treatment from management. Again, not always but often enough. Additionally it is important to remember that a successful startup isnt really a startup anymore. It's a business. When I was at WP Engine in the earlyish days I remember telling my boss "if we are successful then we are going to build a company we dont really want to work for anymore."