IME you're not getting equity but options, which have no ownership or value, no market and restrictions on transfer, exercise and lifespan. No one is going to b

IME you're not getting equity but options, which have no ownership or value, no market and restrictions on transfer, exercise and lifespan. No one is going to buy you out in the future, so if there company doesn't make it big they have no value. Established, profitable companies can do profit sharing or use a shadow equity plan that actually rewards you in an ongoing basis. YMMV