75% of venture-backed startups never return money to investors, let alone founders [1]. 44% fail after four years [2]. That's almost half a decade of your life. I'm sure the cash-out rate for early employees is even worse.

Starting your own company is not a rational financial decision. Neither is working at a startup. Which is the point.

[1] https://www.fastcompany.com/3003827/why-most-venture-backed-...

[2] https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/startup-statistics-small-...