Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. Be grateful they are not trying to force you to take equity in lieu of compensation, as any shares/options you do manage to neg

Personally, I wouldn't sweat it. Be grateful they are not trying to force you to take equity in lieu of compensation, as any shares/options you do manage to negotiate are more than likely going to end up worthless, if not due to business failure* then due to dilution. Or, in some cases, embezzlement. This thread from a couple of days ago had a lot to say on the subject: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34084354 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34084354 Just negotiate the best salary you can and consider any promises of future bonus/exit to be at best a lottery ticket. * no, your super-epic rewrite of that website isn't going to single-handedly save a failing org however much they flatter you with a fancy title. Don't get manipulated into heroics because even if they do make it big, chances are the VCs and founders will squeeze you out.