Long post. Suggest you cut it down and use a different title. The current title doesn't inspire people to click.
From what you've said so far, you are the first hire in a startup with a technical founder. There are factors that we're missing here like are you a full-time or part-time hire? What's the role of the mathematical models? How "replaceable" are you? Could the technical founder have done this without you, or with a different hire? How much of an impact will it be to the company if you walk away?
It's impossible for anyone to tell you how much is "fair" in your situation since every situation is different. But for what it's worth, 1%-3% with competitive salary is pretty good for a non-founding first hire in my experience. YMMV depending on how you answer the questions I mentioned above.
I think a good way to calculate equity compensation is via "opportunity cost". Will you be working for reduced salary after graduation for this startup? If you're going to be getting reduced salary, then the equity compensation should match the salary that you'll be missing out on.
Comments
Long post. Suggest you cut it down and use a different title. The current title doesn't inspire people to click.
From what you've said so far, you are the first hire in a startup with a technical founder. There are factors that we're missing here like are you a full-time or part-time hire? What's the role of the mathematical models? How "replaceable" are you? Could the technical founder have done this without you, or with a different hire? How much of an impact will it be to the company if you walk away?
It's impossible for anyone to tell you how much is "fair" in your situation since every situation is different. But for what it's worth, 1%-3% with competitive salary is pretty good for a non-founding first hire in my experience. YMMV depending on how you answer the questions I mentioned above.
I think a good way to calculate equity compensation is via "opportunity cost". Will you be working for reduced salary after graduation for this startup? If you're going to be getting reduced salary, then the equity compensation should match the salary that you'll be missing out on.
Here are some old threads about this topic.
http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?biz.5.416439.2... http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=185882 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=79952 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28465