A number I've heard for T&T (team and technology) acquisitions is to grant about twice as much /unvested/ stock options as if the individuals were hired through

A number I've heard for T&T (team and technology) acquisitions is to grant about twice as much /unvested/ stock options as if the individuals were hired through ordinary channels. The idea is that a cohesive team is worth more than separate hires. But not exponentially more. But that's not your situation. It seems like you do have traction but you don't have a team. If your traction is >> theirs, you might consider hiring them. If their traction is >> yours, they won't give you much.