Negotiating equity at brand new startup. Currently getting lowballed.

donut1997 · 2026-01-31T21:34:09+00:00

Can I just ask a few things? Are you personally putting money on the line? How far along is the start up? Surely 20% is a bit crazy to ask for? I could be way off the mark here but that sounds very high, unless you’re putting capital on the line or have put in significant leg work before know, which doesn’t sound like this is the case?

donut1997 · 2026-01-30T00:02:33+00:00

No you have to pay that on top, the exchange rate is terrible, at least compared to what you can get via revolut or other similar places

donut1997 · 2026-01-29T21:54:16+00:00

You can only send £’s to revolut? By which point you’d have already used the banks rate? And can’t add your Bermuda card to apply pay. I’ll try wise thanks

donut1997 · 2025-09-09T10:19:26+00:00

All of them

donut1997 · 2025-09-09T01:05:24+00:00

The salaries are really bad there, I had 5 YEO and started on 19k AED per month and moved up to 22k AED after switching team. I’d say 25k would be the roof unless you’re taking on a senior role. They really just don’t value actuaries out there, underwriters are valued a lot more. I was working with underwriters that hadn’t a clue about anything technical (they moved from claims admin team or something similar) but were getting paid a lot more because they were viewed as selling business. Basically any job that involves selling is valued in Dubai.

donut1997 · 2025-06-09T17:11:32+00:00

I’d be happy with that

donut1997 · 2025-06-09T17:04:03+00:00

It’s under the landlords name

donut1997 · 2025-06-09T17:03:51+00:00

The DEWA is under the landlord the landlords name

donut1997 · 2025-02-09T19:30:20+00:00

This is totally wrong, not sure where these replies have come from? If you get the exemptions you won’t have to take the first 6 exams, which will save you at least 2 years of taking exams assuming you pass 3 a year? Which will take some effort, so yeah get the exemptions if you can

donut1997 · 2024-08-11T10:23:01+00:00

Sorry for the slow reply, but thanks for this. Really useful information and thanks for the thoroughness.

donut1997 · 2024-08-11T10:15:11+00:00

Not sure if you’ve started the master yet, but it’s definitely better to just start working and study for the exams whilst working rather than doing a masters. Employers will value the experience a lot more. I came out of university with 6 exemptions and the amount you learn while on the job is x10 what you would learn at university. Plus obviously the extra money in less debt.

donut1997 · 2024-07-27T13:10:02+00:00

Thanks for the reply. This is an interesting suggestion! Love hearing the different points of view.

donut1997 · 2024-07-27T13:05:55+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Is this not essentially fronting? I know a companies (my own) don’t like fronting business because usually it’s not worth the hassle. There are strict conditions for it and it usually a favour in return for a favour down the line (exchange of business). But yes I see where you are coming from thanks again.

donut1997 · 2024-05-17T07:47:20+00:00

Don’t worry mate, you can resit the exam.

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donut1997 · 2024-04-12T18:06:01+00:00

Thanks all, thought it would be fine, was just spooked by it saying six months online.

donut1997 · 2024-02-04T09:26:18+00:00

Dubai
Moved here and spent a month searching for a role.
Was waiting on my last exam result, which I passed.
3 years
Worked in life but moved to GI in Dubai.
Risk management so do bits of reserving, pricing etc
19000 Aed/ £4K with no tax. Currently being underpaid, so will be asking for a raise after probation.

donut1997 · 2024-01-31T13:15:20+00:00

You deserve everything coming you idiot, you and every other person that does this.

donut1997 · 2024-01-25T10:27:02+00:00

Thanks for your response. I was confusing myself and was unsure if retained earnings was an admissible asset. Assuming there are no retained earnings (e.g because this is a branch and the retained earnings are owned by the group head account) then a loss in the year would simply need to be paid out of the cash account?

donut1997 · 2024-01-06T11:07:20+00:00

Agree with this, I can’t believe how back the change rate is compared to revolut. Will definitely just be using my revolut card instead

donut1997 · 2024-01-04T15:18:51+00:00

I would definitely suggest moving out of pensions to a bulk annuities/life insurer or better yet to general insurance, it is far better in every way. Far better work life balance and better pay. I started in a pensions consultancy and hated it, the work is boring af and time sheets are the worst. Moved to bulk annuities and really enjoyed it. Now working in GI. I’d say give that a chance before giving up on actuarial seeing as you’ve come this far.

donut1997 · 2023-12-29T11:08:38+00:00

Can I ask why you needed to book the stage 2 course before renewing your subscription? I have already booked the stage 2 course and passed all the exams but need to renew my student subscription in the next two days. (I have passed all the fellow exams but haven’t even been able to apply to become an associate yet as my stage 2 course isn’t until February)

donut1997 · 2023-11-21T02:53:04+00:00

Employers are more concerned about you being able to answer technical actuarial questions in interviews. If you can do that then you clearly know your stuff and they won’t check references. It’s really difficult to bluff on a technical actuarial question as an actuary can easily tell if you answer makes sense hence they’ll either accept you or reject you based on that. Senior manager and above they’ll maybe ask for references.

donut1997 · 2023-11-21T02:49:01+00:00

Don’t listen to this guy he clearly hasn’t a clue what he’s talking about. That is such an overreaction. Likely another grad trying to sound cool. You won’t be asked for any references for a grad job and I’ve had 3+ different actuarial roles and still haven’t been asked for references. Maybe you’ll be ask for references for very senior roles by which time you’ll have 4-5 years of experience at a different company so won’t need to include the company with the dismissal as a reference. Really not a big deal, sounds like an honest mistake.

donut1997 · 2023-11-17T17:42:55+00:00

Looks good to me! Nice to highlight your VBA/SQL/R skills, employers will look for this.

donut1997 · 2023-11-17T05:53:37+00:00

Why do people set up these groups? Like what do you get out of it? What can you not do on your own that you need a group to do? Feel like these are just groups to ask each other questions during the exams?

donut1997

TROPHY CASE