Patrick, you are right that most startups are not started to end their life as acqui-hires.
However and this is a bit of generalization on my part, startups in todays ecosystem are often started upon an assumption that acqui-hiring is the fallback plan if things go sour.
Source: anecdotal
If one values steady returns getting a regular job might be more financially rewarding especially as a non-founder.
There have been countless discussions on HN about low payoffs in aggregate for early non-founder employees.
However a steady job does not give you "a buck and a dream".
However and this is a bit of generalization on my part, startups in todays ecosystem are often started upon an assumption that acqui-hiring is the fallback plan if things go sour.
Source: anecdotal
If one values steady returns getting a regular job might be more financially rewarding especially as a non-founder.
There have been countless discussions on HN about low payoffs in aggregate for early non-founder employees.
However a steady job does not give you "a buck and a dream".