I agree - that's how I tend to do it these days. Most startups fail (and I've taken enough of the crappy deals to find this on my own), so I've become a skepti

I agree - that's how I tend to do it these days. Most startups fail (and I've taken enough of the crappy deals to find this on my own), so I've become a skeptic, usually doing a better job of analyzing their ideas and connections. I end up charging my full rate (which to me is more valuable than the gamble of equity) and then using it as capital for my own projects.