But you can leave easily. and in 2024 I think people should insist on getting a decent salary (FAANG is impossible, but for most of the country, “even just” $170K is eye watering), and work life balance (sure, you will have to put in extra hours sometimes, but if it’s a 12 hours a day shop, don’t join). Founder should work a lot more aggressively, live a lot more spartan, and obviously is shackled to the damn thing with no optionality.
No, but being earlier does mean taking on more risk, which is the whole argument founders and seed investors make for their cuts.