That's why the real total compensation from a startup is salary and experience. Does this look good on my resume? Will I learn something I want to learn? Will I be saving money here?

Stocks are worthless. If the company thought their stock was worth anything they wouldn't be giving it away to employees

Giving stocks instead of salary can be a solution for the company when it is strapped for money and it cannot raise good money on the stock market.

Most VC backed companies are not strapped for money, they are often drowning in money.

Family run business are often strapped for money but they would also like to NOT give stocks away.