So, someone who knows all about this venture (and similar ventures) do the "brains" behind it still come out well no matter what happens?
the investors will lose a lot of money (they are sort of expecting that though) and the brains get paid a smaller salary for what they are doing running the company. The big cash only happens if there is successful exit. Management might be worth $150K-$200k/year and they potentially worked for half that and stock options. Many smaller VC companies might have management making $50K just to make things happen and conserve cash.
So how well they come out depends on your definition of "well". They got paid something to gamble and potentially make a boatload. But they are making less then if they were working at a regular company.
pierre
