Instead of working for a big company you could just freelance and temporarily contract out to large companies. You get all of the $$$ but also the flexibility f

Instead of working for a big company you could just freelance and temporarily contract out to large companies. You get all of the $$$ but also the flexibility for high-optionality events afforded to you from copious free time to build startups and side projects (as well as time to network with others.) In my opinion it is far better to secure a high salary and the free-time and autonomy to work on your own higher-risk pursuits, than it is to secure a low salary and share a tiny percentage of optionality and autonomy with others on a high-risk pursuit. The only exception I'd make is when you're truly enamoured with a vision, a founder, prone to loneliness and need to belong, or don't wish to focus on your economic livelihood at all. At the end of the day the likelihood is that the high-risk pay-off never comes. Just like almost everybody else you'll become old, have a family and want to be able to provide for them.