[jsharf]

Do founders return the salary they pay themselves if their company doesn’t double in size?

The answer is no, so I don’t see why software engineers should be held to higher standards.

[parthianshotgun]

Founders are simply better and more evolved human beings, the exalted ones, isn't it obvious? /s

[eastbound]

Founders do invest savings into creating the company, and can be condemned to prejudices if they fail to manage money properly. And every startup is managed at the edge of bankruptcy all the time, so founders can easily be found guilty of mismanagement.

[throwaway585793]

Non sequitur.

Sarcasm doesn't make you funny or witty. This isn't reddit.

[Aunche]

A lot of founders have worked for free or have already invested a lot of money in their company. If you want a salary and external investment, you better be prepared to part with much of the stake in your company.