Yea, I agree on all those points and that is what the company pushed back with. They compared the requested stake with what YC got (and it was 3 founders). I wa

Yea, I agree on all those points and that is what the company pushed back with. They compared the requested stake with what YC got (and it was 3 founders). I was (and still am) at the point where the salary was less important and if I was going to play that game it would be for a big win. I am not chasing starting or being part of an early stage company so hard now though. After being miserable in my last role (Google) I stepped back and looked at the problems that keep me engaged (R&D). Found a company in that space and am very happy with what I do now (DARPA contracts!). If I ever have a side project that lands then I'd pursue it, but I'm not hunting for ideas like I used to. Just trying to find that happy life groove.