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Comment by shamino | Hacker News Reader

The point is that startups are not competitive in recruiting good talent, and they go to the large companies.

I disagree- I’m really good. They just have a very large hammer they swing. Anybody can get good results with the resources they bring to bear. Getting good results with jack shit takes talent, haha.

The answer is not and will never be writing bigger checks with money you don’t have. It’s getting real up close and personal with your team and figuring out a way for everybody to win. If folks want to ride my ride, that’s super, but most cats don’t really have a taste for my risk and work profile. Where I excel is professional development and lifestyle. I can move the needle for people there.

True, but you don't have anything a big company doesn't have, or can't have. Therefore, to differentiate yourself from your talent going to FAANG, you need to provide more equity to early employees than what is the status quo. They joined your startup for risk, and your rewards need to match up with that risk. A large company has professional development, a great lifestyle, and mentorship. What they don't have is huge upside if there is a huge exit, and the early employee at a startup needs to capture that.

People think they want the equity but they absolutely do not. They may want something for nothing, certainly plenty of folks are interested in that, but you don’t really understand the devils bargain until you’ve made it.

I know what I’m doing. Been at it for years. It works for everybody. There are so many people who deserve a shot but will never get one, if you’re willing to dig and develop there is no shortage.

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