Accept a lower salary in exchange for meaningful equity
A startup I'm excited about wants me, but the offer is 25% below my current salary. They're making it up in equity — options that vest over four years. The company has raised a real Series A, the founders seem credible, but most startups don't make equity liquid. I'd be taking a real pay cut today for a bet on an outcome I can't control.
Determine whether the equity upside is realistic enough to justify the salary sacrifice, or whether I'm being seduced by potential that won't materialize.
Sky bars indicate dimensions working in the decision's favor. Gray bars highlight areas of elevated risk or cost.
Run this scenario through the full structured analysis — blindspots, second-order risks, and a complete Decision Strength Index.
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