We’re one year in the market and already profitable. Believe it or not, many engineers are earning much bigger salaries in financial companies, and our software has similar security and reliability requirements as a financial app.

These are our first hires. We want the best we can afford.

If you've been on the market for a year and are already profitable why are you still in stealth mode?

This guy gets it. Congrats, and best of luck!

- One year in the market and already profitable

- In stealth mode

- Making first hires

How does that add up?

Gotta pay for quality, GOOG / FB / etc pay far more than that w/ liquid equity.

True, but GOOG, FB, etc aren't startups with limited funds

2x normal salary isn't massive. Some startups get 5 mil investment, others get 10 — not a huge deal imo.

I wouldn't even say that's 2x a 'normal' salary. I'd say that's about the right range for senior talent with a proven history to execute. Pay peanuts, get monkeys. These folks want results, and they know the surefire way to get them.