Just passed the last interview with a hot crypto startup for a Senior Software Engineer role. I aced all the interviews and I have 7+ YOE.

I live in Geneva and this company is hiring globally. They are a 100% full remote Norwegian company but they hire through some payroll company.

This company comes from a 70M funding round early this year and they have an interesting product that they want to scale.

What salary and equity should I ask? How do I go about that negotiation?

I've just passed another last interview with a company that I also like (Fintech based in Zürich, remote work only from Switzerland) and they are offering me 170k for a Principal Software Engineer role.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated

Start ups are likely to offer you less, but potentially a share of the company/crypto.

If you're looking for steady money take the Fintech. If you're looking for a gamble, take the potential 70k and a chunk of coins.

Depends very much on where you are in life now and who/what you need to support.

Ask to be paid in francs …

As this is via a payroll company it is similar to a time limited contract. You will have to pay both sides of the pension/AVS contributions which will lower your take-home. Do ask your payroll company for projected deductions.

Also note that if you'd like to switch to a bid company later on they do not count startup equity as part of you salary but only base+bonus.

Just to be able to position yourself for salary negotiation if you'd decide to switch elsewhere...

As to how much equity to ask for it depends in what stage the startup is, how many employees and how crucial you are. To me it sounds like you can't get much as %, i.e. lucky to get a promile...

I know some "crypto bros" making around 130-140k in Zurich area, no idea if they have any stock or bonuses added on top.

In comparison the 170k offer you've got on the table seems amazing.

Thank you all for the suggestions and the information. I used your advice to negotiate and it went well

Congrats!

Any details? Future tips?