Congrats on making it to YC 19!
Love the idea, in fact I started something similar[1] in March 2018 when I was switching job. I also heard too many stories of friends accepting early stage companies offers with little to no equity and I was hurting for them.
I hope we (employees) will finally get our leverage back and fight for better equity but ALSO better liquidity!
If founders get liquidity, employees should too, it's only fair.