startup case: the short answer is no. Why ? Statistics. 1-2% doesn't get you anywhere, after dilution, vc's getting, stake and if an eventual takeover happens.

startup case: the short answer is no. Why ? Statistics. 1-2% doesn't get you anywhere, after dilution, vc's getting, stake and if an eventual takeover happens. A 50mn takeover will leave a founder with about 6mn is an O.K aprox. Granted he had 50% of the company to start with, where does that leave you? established company case: As an employee you can hit the 1mn mark over a few years depending on the company. But that depends on what you mean by "big money" Assumptions: big money > 5mn