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I think they had been burned by someone else before, and were not very trustworthy people. I learned later just how shady they were, things I hadn’t seen becau

I think they had been burned by someone else before, and were not very trustworthy people. I learned later just how shady they were, things I hadn’t seen because I was too busy trying to actually build something that worked. I think after that it was pure greed. It was a “family-run” business and the wealth stayed with “family”.... and I was just an employee. The reason I said I can sleep at night is because later in life I realized, I was better off without their money. I would have not felt as good if I’d had gotten it given what I learned about their character and business practices which I had not known about.

deanmoriarty 8y ago
It’s truly horrible. I’ve been at a startup for 4 years now, all my options are vested and partially exercised (including some painful amt tax ugh), but I’m paranoid that at the last minute, if it even arrives to that point, everything will be pulled away from me with some magic trick. That’s one of the reasons why I am not moving on to other opportunities even if my grant is almost all mature, I don’t want them to “forget my face” when the time comes, it might help them screwing me. And I’m not talking about dilution, liquidation preferences, ... that stuff is business risk, I’m talking about dealing with greed of people.
- sixdimensional 8y ago
  I didn’t stick through it in my case since I was “asked to leave” and had nothing in writing, one of the weirdest experiences of my life but a clear sign that something was not right. But if you can stick through it I hope that on the other side of it you come out in a good way. Depending on your agreement and country, one can only hope that what you have protects your interests well and can be enforced. In my case, I could have gone after them because verbal agreements are actually still valid and enforceable, although complex and legally expensive to pursue. But I couldn’t get myself to do it and by now it is years past the statute of limitations. I don’t know but somehow greed and survival and the human condition are all inextricably linked. All I can say is I wish you sincerely the best. I still came out with something at the end - a cautionary tale, a lot more experience, and my honor. Depending on how you measure things, that counts for a lot to me, although it doesn’t necessarily put food on the table, or a roof over your head.

deanmoriarty 8y ago

It’s truly horrible. I’ve been at a startup for 4 years now, all my options are vested and partially exercised (including some painful amt tax ugh), but I’m paranoid that at the last minute, if it even arrives to that point, everything will be pulled away from me with some magic trick. That’s one of the reasons why I am not moving on to other opportunities even if my grant is almost all mature, I don’t want them to “forget my face” when the time comes, it might help them screwing me. And I’m not talking about dilution, liquidation preferences, ... that stuff is business risk, I’m talking about dealing with greed of people.

sixdimensional 8y ago
I didn’t stick through it in my case since I was “asked to leave” and had nothing in writing, one of the weirdest experiences of my life but a clear sign that something was not right. But if you can stick through it I hope that on the other side of it you come out in a good way. Depending on your agreement and country, one can only hope that what you have protects your interests well and can be enforced. In my case, I could have gone after them because verbal agreements are actually still valid and enforceable, although complex and legally expensive to pursue. But I couldn’t get myself to do it and by now it is years past the statute of limitations. I don’t know but somehow greed and survival and the human condition are all inextricably linked. All I can say is I wish you sincerely the best. I still came out with something at the end - a cautionary tale, a lot more experience, and my honor. Depending on how you measure things, that counts for a lot to me, although it doesn’t necessarily put food on the table, or a roof over your head.