Ask HN: Negotiating equity. Is 10% enough?

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Software_Engineer_/_...

And ask yourself this question: If these two people can't make more than $50k per year per capita in software consulting, in this market, in their product's alleged target market - and they can't figure out how to grow that number more than 15% per year, via simple recipes that are orders of magnitude less risky than developing and shipping a product - why on earth are you quitting a job to partner with them?

Look for partners who can find a market worth finding. In the meantime, don't give up your day job, no matter how much equity you're offered.

According to this I would count as the first employee as the company has existed for a year and is making money. Thereby ascribing 10% to me, their first layer of employees. However as this layer grows my value may gets diluted. Moreover it assumes that I am getting paid market wage. As part designer, part developer and part project manager - im not sure what that number is but lets say its at least what im getting paid now $70K per year.

Since I am not getting paid market wage I feel like it should be reasonable to ask for sufficient equity compensation. This is one of the main reasons join a startup right? Not the pay but the <em> potential <em> reward.

All this being said, its a young company the founders are my friends and I feel strongly that the company has potential and that I have a strong opportunity to grow.

  Co-Founder: $33k Salary, 45% Equity
  Co-Founder: $33k Salary, 45% Equity
         You: $33k Salary, 10% Equity