Risk of joining as a founding engineer?

How do you evaluate the risk and the potential of the offer from an early-stage (seed stage done) startup in India? For example (hypothetical), a seasoned leader / founder is starting a new startup in fintech industry (e.g., next zerodha, etc). They raise 10 million USD at 30 million USD post-money valuation. I took fintech as example specifically to ensure it's not only engineers that will be needed from the beginning. * Now, If I were to join as a founding team member (founding engineer for example), what kind of salary, ESOPs one should expect as minimum? * If I were to join after 2-3 engineers are already hired (so not founding engg anymore), what is realistic expectation? * What are some questions I must ask to evaluate if the offer and equity I am being given is good or not. (I know there's probably no way to generalise a "good/bad offer" as that likely depends also on very specific situation of the startup - like what problem is it trying to tackle, and what is the potential of it, etc. So feel free to share your experience as well if not advice)

Hi everyone, this is my first post in Grapevine. I’ve received an offer to join a startup in the logistics field as a founding employee in the product team. Before I accept, I’d appreciate any advice on what to check regarding: 1. The team 2. The problem statement 3. Salary 4. ESOPs & equity (percentage, timeline, buyback, etc.) Please let me know if there is anything else I need to check before. Basically looking for red flags in the last minute 😅 Thanks in advance!

Experience 7 years.

Looking forward to some nice stories from the community. Some positive, some not so positive - what made you take a pay cut?

I got a offer where i will get the equity. Does people really make money when company get sold considering in my case if i get 1% equity. Also how does it work? Suppose when we start valuation of the company is 1 cr so my part will be 1L. Now in the next round suppose the valuation is 10cr then does it increase my equity to 10L or it dilute my % of equity? Suppose if the company is sold at 100cr, do i really get 1 cr? Kindly let me know how it works and really people make money or not if it get sold.

How much equity should be asked in case you are hired as founding engineer?

I recently got an offer from early stage startup with a paycut from my current salary. Currently I am working at a MNC with monotonous work and learning. Should I join the startup?

Hello grapevines! Need your help/opinion here. I work for a big corp. ~6YOE. 48L. The work culture here seems a bit off. Constant pressure to compete and snatch the work and prove oneself. Chaos is being glorified. Onsite team is unresponsive and hiding information. Asking for a KT is being judged upon(expectation is apparently to read through the code). Everyone is trying to earn brownie points by impressing the manage because no one seems to know what to work upon. Technical ability is being looked down upon in the name of domain knowledge. I switched recently to upskill and grow, but seems like it was a wrong choice. I’m looking for early stage startups to switch to. I know the current market situation is bad, but I’d take the risk as long as I’m getting to expose myself to good problem statements and less bullshit.