&gt; just become an angel investor<p>Most people are not rich, even software developers. Only the rich can be angel investors, because it&#x27;s illegal to issue securities to non-accredited investors. Being an accredited investor requires a net worth of $1M excluding your house, or a steady job with $200K&#x2F;year pay ($300K if married), and 2 years at that pay level before you can start investing. There&#x27;s no net worth or income requirement to work at a startup and get equity that way.