Be careful with this method. I've heard a story of a German entrepreneur who built a valuable business around a web service and was bought. He wanted more money

Be careful with this method. I've heard a story of a German entrepreneur who built a valuable business around a web service and was bought. He wanted more money than the buyer could give so they agree that he would get a significant amount of the value as shares. There was much more share value than money because the seller was confident in the business model. Then the bubble 2000 exploded and the shares lost all their value. But wait, the worst is yet to come. The next year the IRS claimed the taxes on the transaction and refused to take in account the loss of share value. SOo the seller had to borrow to pay the IRS and pays it back by working for the buyer ! The lesson I learned is to think twice in getting payed with shares or revenue promise. Today the economy is really uncertain, so watch out for this kind of accident. It also depends on the business and the expected long term stability of your business. Today I would prefer a sound business instead of a big pack of money. I wouldn't know how to secure it.