So they're paying 1.4 * 12 = £16.8k a year Minimum wage for the 21+ group at seven hours a week 365 is 6.31 * 7 * 365 = £16,122.05 a year They're not quite

So they're paying 1.4 * 12 = £16.8k a year Minimum wage for the 21+ group at seven hours a week 365 is 6.31 * 7 * 365 = £16,122.05 a year They're not quite paying the minimum they can legally get away with paying you, and holidays will further slant that disparity. But it's close, it's damned close, to the same they'd have to pay a cleaner or a receptionist. That's not skilled labour rates. As for the equity... Hah! Equity is what happens when it's easier to get the money out of an employee's potential wages than it is to convince the investors to give you the money to hire someone with a decent wage up front. It's a way of transferring risk onto someone who doesn't have the same information, experience and risk management means as investors do. As an employee, you should take the fact that investors won't stump up more money for your wages as some evidence of how they've assessed the company. I'd disregard the equity unless you know their industry very well and have some reason to believe they're a really good bet. # I wouldn't take the offer, not unless there are other points that you really want and can negotiate for. In monetary terms, it's terrible.