Startup Equity vs. Public Company RSUs
The decision framework for comparing a startup offer against Big Tech RSUs. Risk adjustment and scenario modeling.
What you’ll learn
- ✓The risk-adjustment framework for comparing illiquid vs. liquid equity
- ✓Modeling startup equity: expected value across outcome scenarios
- ✓Public RSU mechanics: vesting, withholding, and sell-to-cover
- ✓Stage-adjusted risk: seed vs. Series A vs. Series D vs. pre-IPO
- ✓Total compensation comparison (salary + equity + bonus + benefits)
- ✓How to make the call when the numbers are close
This is the comparison that matters most for most people evaluating a career move: a startup offering equity in a private company vs. a public tech company offering RSUs that are liquid on day one. The startup offer always looks bigger on paper. That's the point — it has to, to compensate for risk.
The question is whether the risk-adjusted value is actually better. Most people can't answer this because they don't have a framework. Here's the one that actually works.
In this chapter, you’ll work through the exact framework for startup equity vs. public company rsus. We cover each of the key topics with worked examples, real numbers, and actionable steps you can take immediately.
- ✓The risk-adjustment framework for comparing illiquid vs. liquid equity
- ✓Modeling startup equity: expected value across outcome scenarios
- ✓Public RSU mechanics: vesting, withholding, and sell-to-cover
- ✓Stage-adjusted risk: seed vs. Series A vs. Series D vs. pre-IPO
- ✓Total compensation comparison (salary + equity + bonus + benefits)
- ✓How to make the call when the numbers are close
Equity Decoder
Stop guessing. Start knowing.
12 chapters. 38 pages. An equity calculator. Everything you need to decode any offer.
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