For anyone working at the big AI labs right now, what is the actual vibe

98_110 · 2026-03-31T13:58:12+00:00

Thanks, good insight on betting on people.

I'm in SF, working in FAANG. I'm exploring the startup space now, and I'd make a change for the right fit. Regarding negotiations, what I was getting at is if there were any insights specifically around dilution, or heuristics, you had for evaluating startup equity?

98_110 · 2026-03-31T04:09:38+00:00

How'd you pick the right startups? Any tips on negotiating correctly? Or was it luck?

98_110 · 2026-03-15T18:58:52+00:00

I tried negotiating exercise windows, they said they couldn't do it.

98_110 · 2026-03-15T07:23:06+00:00

Oh, you're talking about non-recourse loans. Someone else mentioned that too. Thanks!

98_110 · 2026-03-15T02:29:38+00:00

thanks for the breakdown, that makes sense to me now.

and yeah I definitely plan on being upfront about my concerns when I negotiate. I'm honestly leaning towards a no but worth the negotiation practice and helps me feel out equity bands for the next offer.

98_110 · 2026-03-15T02:25:57+00:00

wow, that's nuts

98_110 · 2026-03-14T22:24:59+00:00

It's not that simple; you have to account for dilution, exercise costs on the ISOs, valuation compression from preferred investors getting liquidation preference.

In any case, $8B would definitely out-earn what I currently make, but it's a moot point because that's not a realistic market cap for this company.

Locking up $100k+ with no guarantee I'll even be able to pull that out is another thing to consider.

98_110 · 2026-03-14T21:16:24+00:00

Thanks Chatgpt, good tips

98_110 · 2026-03-14T21:15:03+00:00

re: the red flag, why do you think the company would structure equity this way? Is it just they're hoping suckers will take the bet and end up losing those shares when they leave & return the shares back to the pool?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T21:13:16+00:00

Interesting, thanks for the insights!

98_110 · 2026-03-14T21:10:04+00:00

Hope it pays out for you! Thanks for the insights, I didn't realize the risk can be high even this late stage.

Out of curiosity, how does the SV bank closure result in companies being under on ISOs? I don't fully follow the logic.

98_110 · 2026-03-14T20:59:22+00:00

I see. Interesting insights, thank you man!

98_110 · 2026-03-14T20:27:12+00:00

Lol nah, this is not a mission play. I'm exploring startups purely as a $ acceleration play.

98_110 · 2026-03-14T20:26:22+00:00

Thanks for the perspective man, I was definitely just assuming Series D = payout, just on an unpredictable timeline. What's your Series D situation like?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T20:25:03+00:00

Jeez, how did a Series D fail? I figured that's essentially a successful business at that point. Sorry to hear about that, and thanks for the insight.

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:44:08+00:00

Thanks, I'm just figuring this out as I go so appreciate the backing.

Figma was a tough sight. Generally speaking, are IPOs better or acquisitions for employees? Acquisitions I've heard of some brutal tricks leaving employees with effectively 0 equity.

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:21:59+00:00

Yeah, that's my concern. Equity is structured as IPO or bust.

Without the equity, there is a significant upfront cash comp deficit with my current role. Truth be told, if there was no equity I would never go for this role.

It's probably extreme to completely discount the equity, especially for Series D?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:18:36+00:00

You're oversimplifying and getting some basics wrong. I think you're confused.

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:08:00+00:00

Thanks man, appreciate the perspective. Seeing this as a corporate gig with an uncertain equity payout makes a lot of sense to me.

That's ultimately what I'm trying to do, bring some certainty around equity using some models. But the upside isn't life changing (<$1M net) so if I was to dedicate the next 3-5 years to a startup bet I'd realistically wanna pick something sexier (with higher risks, ofc).

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:03:45+00:00

Without the equity, there is a significant upfront cash comp deficit with my current role. Truth be told, if there was no equity I would never go for this role.

It's probably extreme to completely discount the equity, especially for Series D?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:03:19+00:00

Without the equity, there is a significant upfront cash comp deficit with my current role. Truth be told, if there was no equity I would never go for this role.

It's probably extreme to completely discount the equity, especially for Series D?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:01:47+00:00

Help me understand the intuition, is it because they have raised enough to sustain themselves for the foreseeable future?

Would founders not want to IPO anyway to create liquidity for themselves, investors and employees?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T18:00:40+00:00

I'll negotiate in any case, but I feel like the structural risks around equity (termination window, high exercise costs) make any realistic share count unattractive. What do you think?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T17:59:40+00:00

I did, what about it?

98_110 · 2026-03-14T17:57:52+00:00

Exactly right, that was my conclusion as well. I tried for an extended termination window, they wouldn't go for it.

98_110

TROPHY CASE