&gt;Just when things started picking up, the dev decided he wasn&#x27;t getting enough of the pie and bailed, destroying the entire enterprise.<p>&gt;rather than deal with the emotional vagaries of software developers.<p>Negotiating compensation you&#x27;re comfortable with isn&#x27;t an &quot;emotional vagary&quot;. Sounds like the programmer was working for a measly amount equity in something that will most likely be worth nothing in a couple of years.