On the other side of the equation, founders and investors are increasingly tight-fisted with company ownership, allocating smaller stock pools to employees Fou

On the other side of the equation, founders and investors are increasingly tight-fisted with company ownership, allocating smaller stock pools to employees Founders and investors are in a position of power, which means there is an easier solution to the quoted problem: create more shares (dilute) when necessary. In the mean time, just give out more stock.