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I'm a mid to top tier programmer in the bay area. I got into a pre series A startup for 90k a year (on a W9 rather than a W2 so -20% after taxes and computing

I'm a mid to top tier programmer in the bay area. I got into a pre series A startup for 90k a year (on a W9 rather than a W2 so -20% after taxes and computing no vacation or sick days) + .1% equity per month to make an iPhone app. I had two co-workers who were sub par. They left the company. I'm currently taking over the rest of the programming (backend/web stuff). The system I'm inheriting is pretty bad. Security holes, bad EC2 setup and the web front end is unmaintainable. I can handle the work but the time required to fix everything is significant and I feel underpaid. I got promoted to VP of engineering but my pay and amount of stock I get didn't increase. We're in the middle of raising series A. We are strapped for cash until series A is completed. I'm meeting with my CEO soon and would like to talk about a significant pay increase as well as more equity. I don't want to seem like a jerk and say I want at least $175k per year as well as .2% equity per month now or i'm gone since we're in the middle of raising series A and I'm the only programmer. I also don't want to keep kicking the can down the road. How do I go about asking for fair compensation? How much money and equity would you guys ask for? Anyone have any ideas like get 120k now and after series A raise it up to 175k? Little more about myself. Came from a top 15 CS program, placed in a couple programming competitions, was part of a company that previously exited as a back end dev, been programming for 17 years and I'd I've been at start-ups since I graduated in 2007.

carrotleads 12y ago
My solution : act like a even big time jerk, justa reasonable one looking after your self-interest and double your equity demand and make it iron clad so you are not shortchanged after the fund raise. there will be negotiations to dial down your demands invariably and you can keep your "jerk" like demands as the absolute floor...
Firegarden 12y ago
What I find the easiest is if you are not dealing directly with the CEO or person approving the raise. In that case you can just let your supervisor know you need that rate to stay on board. If you are dealing with the CEO or person approving the raise and you feel the need to justify yourself I would keep it short and simple like "In order for me to move forward in this position my salary has to be at $175K". There really isn't much else to say. Just like 50 Cent - you must to be able to walk away - and that is your power. You 100% should ask for the raise or leave. Don't get caught up with letting OPP affect you. OPP = Other peoples problems. For example the CEO is a f#ck up for a large variety of reasons so he gets you believing they are in the middle of "raising series A" or whatever else bullshit that you have no control over therefore has nothing to do with you. It's all about you mo fo. His problem is actually more like he is "in the middle of raising series A and is about to lose a top developer who knows the code base". Don't worry if the CEO is worth his weight he will solve that problem. Catch my drift? You only live once my friend - DO NOT LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE.
HeyLaughingBoy 12y ago
I'm sorry, but I simply don't see how asking for what you're worth can be considered acting like a jerk. It's your life and you need/want what you need/want. If they can't afford you, that is not your problem!!!
stmfreak 12y ago
Try to phrase your worth from the perspective of the cost to replace you. Jumping from $90k to $175k is a hard pill for any CEO to swallow. Are you replaceable by some new $120k developer or are you really VPE and they would have to hire a senior manager and a couple coders to fill your shoes? How many people are you managing? Remember, you CEO is going to have to explain your raise, or termination, to the board. What story would be easiest to deliver?

carrotleads 12y ago

My solution : act like a even big time jerk, justa reasonable one looking after your self-interest and double your equity demand and make it iron clad so you are not shortchanged after the fund raise. there will be negotiations to dial down your demands invariably and you can keep your "jerk" like demands as the absolute floor...

Firegarden 12y ago

What I find the easiest is if you are not dealing directly with the CEO or person approving the raise. In that case you can just let your supervisor know you need that rate to stay on board. If you are dealing with the CEO or person approving the raise and you feel the need to justify yourself I would keep it short and simple like "In order for me to move forward in this position my salary has to be at $175K". There really isn't much else to say. Just like 50 Cent - you must to be able to walk away - and that is your power. You 100% should ask for the raise or leave. Don't get caught up with letting OPP affect you. OPP = Other peoples problems. For example the CEO is a f#ck up for a large variety of reasons so he gets you believing they are in the middle of "raising series A" or whatever else bullshit that you have no control over therefore has nothing to do with you. It's all about you mo fo. His problem is actually more like he is "in the middle of raising series A and is about to lose a top developer who knows the code base". Don't worry if the CEO is worth his weight he will solve that problem. Catch my drift? You only live once my friend - DO NOT LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE.

HeyLaughingBoy 12y ago

I'm sorry, but I simply don't see how asking for what you're worth can be considered acting like a jerk. It's your life and you need/want what you need/want. If they can't afford you, that is not your problem!!!

stmfreak 12y ago

Try to phrase your worth from the perspective of the cost to replace you. Jumping from $90k to $175k is a hard pill for any CEO to swallow. Are you replaceable by some new $120k developer or are you really VPE and they would have to hire a senior manager and a couple coders to fill your shoes? How many people are you managing? Remember, you CEO is going to have to explain your raise, or termination, to the board. What story would be easiest to deliver?