ESOPs

The firm usually has a vesting event then only they can get the payout

Got a buyback from my last seed startup when leaving as an early employee, so it does happen. Although the amount wasn't a lot for me.

See you can get a buyout and they do happen. It's just risky and that's as probably it'll be years before the business is in good shape to compensate you. So suggest evaluating both the trust aspect of the founder and whether you honestly believe that the company can grow big

Should we consider ESOPs comparison too while comparing two offers?