Sure always negotiate, but “If they were just willing to give you 1/3 without negotiating I’d bet they would act the same the negotiating with VCs or customers

Sure always negotiate, but “If they were just willing to give you 1/3 without negotiating I’d bet they would act the same the negotiating with VCs or customers and the biz would be a disaster!” just isn’t true consistently enough to be useful. Context is important, but if what OP is saying is correct, them not opening closer to an equal split suggests they have a lack of capabilities assessing their founding team here or it’s their first time around the block. Maybe you could screw integral founding team members into taking a fraction of the equity they deserve, but you’re setting up shitty team dynamics, dysfunction, and problems to come. For cofounders and employees: I’ve found you’re better off paying the ballpark of what they’re worth and would be excited about vs trying to get them at their bottom dollar