> It used to be the deal was you'd take a below market salary plus options, and the company would either IPO or go out of business in a reasonable time. It’s a

> It used to be the deal was you'd take a below market salary plus options, and the company would either IPO or go out of business in a reasonable time. It’s actually an interesting thing you mention. I’d you take a below-market rate but your employer doesn’t “exist” longer than necessary, there’s a lot less actual sunken cost. Nowadays they ask you to take a below market rate and try as long as possible to stay private.