If you're a startup with little cash looking for talent, you can either (a) offer co-founder level equity, (b) employ, perhaps remotely, people living where market rate is cheap or (c) hire someone at market rate for limited scope consulting work, hoping they produce enough value to be worth it.
Unless your name is Steve Jobs, when you choose (d) hire someone for far below market and compensate them with employee level equity, you're basically looking for a sucker. Most engineers realize this way before they turn 50.
Unless your name is Steve Jobs, when you choose (d) hire someone for far below market and compensate them with employee level equity, you're basically looking for a sucker. Most engineers realize this way before they turn 50.