First, your math is way off. If the company had a valuation of 12M, 1% equity is $120k. 4 year vesting makes it $30k/year. Also, VCs get preferred shares, ma

First, your math is way off. If the company had a valuation of 12M, 1% equity is $120k. 4 year vesting makes it $30k/year. Also, VCs get preferred shares, making your equity worth even less than $30k/year. So, you were an idiot to take a pay cut of $30k or more for this job. At this point, moving on is your best option. When you get a new job offer, don't take a counter-offer, just leave. Echoing the points the other people made, never take a pay cut on the vague promise they will make it up to you later. That never happens. When you took the foolish pay cut, you established yourself in their minds as an idiot, and they will never properly respect you.