The whole truth: When the average pre-revenue startup says: > "We need the best engineers" What they really mean is this: "We really need ex-FAANG engineers

The whole truth: When the average pre-revenue startup says: > "We need the best engineers" What they really mean is this: "We really need ex-FAANG engineers from Ivy League, Stanford, MIT and Oxbridge for close to below market rates." *6 months later:* "We have a skills shortage of the best engineers" What they really mean is this: "No one wants to accept our below market price offers, even with 0.01% equity which may be worth something one day." If the startup cannot offer a competitive compensation to FAANG or the big AI companies, just walk away. Likely dodged a bullet anyway.