The startup and VC culture has being the dominant model of a lot of companies. The difference with solid businesses and burning-money machines is that one gets funds to build, and the other builds to get funds.

The average lifespan of a startup is 3 years, so unless it's zoom and covid 2 comes in the next 3 years, your stocks won't be worth much.

I'd take the money.

Specially in an era like today with financial crisis and scandals, cash is king.