Absolutely worth the gamble if you think there's realistic potential going forward. It's a chance of giving up 2.5 weeks of pay to keep a 4-year company going

Absolutely worth the gamble if you think there's realistic potential going forward. It's a chance of giving up 2.5 weeks of pay to keep a 4-year company going longer term. If it flops, you're out a couple weeks pay but hopefully can take it, you've kept your staff on for a couple extra weeks, etc. If it succeeds, you've delayed pay for the executives by a few weeks (it may not be lost - much will depend on structure, etc. but if you're salaried and the startup is independently incorporated, it may be legally obligated for those 2+ weeks of pay), you've shown the staff that you're willing to give up your own pay to keep them on (loyalty!), etc.