I think the problem is that startups don't offer enough equity. Google offers a couple hundred thousand PLUS options worth > 100k present value. If a startup w

I think the problem is that startups don't offer enough equity. Google offers a couple hundred thousand PLUS options worth > 100k present value. If a startup wants to pay you enough to compensate, the options need to be worth > 100k present value (even if this means 1% of the company). Otherwise you'd be better off working for google and buying equity in the startup rather than breaking your back working there.