I have always wanted to do a startup but recently I am opening up to the idea of joining a startup. Primarily because :-
1. Through working for a few years I now know some promising early startups run by people I like & respect
2. I would learn from them and would get to build a lot
3. Have some structure in life, the problem statement would be decided and early on I can be pure execution as I increase ownership
4. They're in a space that I am interested in but don't understand, so would learn about the domain name.
At the same side on the startup side
1. I don't have a co-founder
2. I have ideas that I am interested in but I don't have something that I want to commit 10 years to. I have some ideas in which I see quick revenue but don't see them IPO'ing while others are bigger longer term but seem like a struggle to start.
3. If things work out the financial upside is massive compared to an early employee. At seed / series A startups I'd have to be lucky to get anything over a few percentage points of equity.
Overall, when I had joining big tech (or a hedge-fund), startup or starting one as options the first option "big tech" seemed like the easiest thing to do. Now joining one seems like the easiest thing to do.