You're absolutely right. Taking the offer can be a pragmatic choice, especially in the current job market. While it may not match your last salary, the experience you'll gain from working at the startup can be incredibly valuable. It will provide you with an opportunity to build your skills, grow professionally, and potentially open up new doors for future roles. Plus, with a year or even less of experience, you'll be in a much stronger position to explore better opportunities later.
In the meantime, you can continue applying and building your network to keep your options open for the future. Often, the experience you gain in a startup can also make you a more attractive candidate for larger companies down the road.
Best of luck, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more advice or help during this process!