one small hole in this is that startups are not just "a market job". They're significantly more interesting, you learn more, you get more introductions to inter

one small hole in this is that startups are not just "a market job". They're significantly more interesting, you learn more, you get more introductions to interesting people, etc. Startup jobs are inherently more valuable than "market jobs" working at a mindless corporation. About that, I'll just say that, like much everything, it depends. Sure, you might do more interesting stuff, meet more interesting people, etc. but you also might work on a project that nobody will remember or even hear about, that will go offline in a few short months so that you can't even point at what you did, etc. While another "regular" job will possibly bring you a scale and reach that you would likely never get working at a startup. Considering the other sacrifices of extra hours worked (typically), more pressure, less job safety and benefits, and so on, I don't think the discount you're talking about is necessary.