I think Jean's post helpfully encapsulates the value of this discussion: that engineers (and non-engineers!) should certainly consider startups in general as an employment, educational, and financial experience that at a base level (say, in the context of a well-funded startup) will probably at least rival work in a larger corporate setting.
But, as lylanm also points out below, perhaps the larger point is that there's not much merit in comparing the prospect of work at an abstract startup versus the prospect of work at an abstract large corporation --- especially if you don't have an offer from either.
Whether you're looking for a first job or just a new job, it's certainly worth exploring whether a particular startup might be a better fun+financial+whatever fit for you than another opportunity that's been extended to you at a particular established company.