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Founders are usually very stingy with equity to employees and very generous with equity to investors. I think this is totally backwards.

Sam Altman

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Sam Altman
Age: 39
Born: 1985
Born: April 22
Entrepreneur
Chicago
Illinois
Samuel H. Altman
Samuel Altman
Totally
Stingy
Usually
Equity
Team
Employees
Think
Founders
Thinking
Backwards
Investors
Employee
Generous

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Remember that the idea will expand, and become more ambitious as you go.
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I believe in fighting with investors to reduce the amount of equity they get and then being as generous as you possibly can with employees.
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For most software startups, this translates to keep growing. For hardware startups, it translates to don't let your ship date slip.
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You don't get to make their decisions but you do get to choose the decision makers.
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Why now, why is this the perfect time for this particular idea, and to start this particular company?
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If you compromise and hire someone mediocre you will always regret it.
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Every company has a rocky beginning.
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