I think it would be more accurate to say they're getting a promise to pay back their investment with interest (the "bond-like" comment in the article), and also 10% of the company stock. It could turn out that the "bond" is more valuable, or the stock is more valuable, or they're both totally worthless.
A major difference between big early investors and retail investors is that retail investors don't get that "bond-like" guarantee. Hence there's greater risk of loss, and retail investors should value the stock much lower, but frequently don't.
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I think it would be more accurate to say they're getting a promise to pay back their investment with interest (the "bond-like" comment in the article), and also 10% of the company stock. It could turn out that the "bond" is more valuable, or the stock is more valuable, or they're both totally worthless.
A major difference between big early investors and retail investors is that retail investors don't get that "bond-like" guarantee. Hence there's greater risk of loss, and retail investors should value the stock much lower, but frequently don't.