They actually do pay shitload of money to senior and especially principal people, mostly in the form of stock grants. They have really strange vesting schedule

They actually do pay shitload of money to senior and especially principal people, mostly in the form of stock grants. They have really strange vesting schedule too: something like 5% first year, 5% second, 45% third, 45% fourth. To compensate for the dropped income they give you sign-up bonus for first and second years. I left before my first vest as soon as interesting start up showed up (start up didn't survive, but at least it was fun).