That is not actually the case! You found a company with idea X, which turns out to be a terrible idea that takes 3 rounds of funding to find out how terrible it indeed is. You pivot to idea XY, work your ass off and find traction! Take another round to grow and exit for 100mm. You're rich! All thanks to your great work! Too bad you were diluted to all hell in the previous rounds and you're not actually rich.
My point is that the company's success is defined in terms of current revenue and future prospects. Your personal definition of success in determined by the delta in the value of your stock options between when they were issued and the present.
My point is that the company's success is defined in terms of current revenue and future prospects. Your personal definition of success in determined by the delta in the value of your stock options between when they were issued and the present.