It's bad for most people, but when it's good it's really good.
I was lucky to join a now unicorn as one of the first few dozen employees a few years ago. I forward exercised with a few thousand out of pocket (section 83b) an equity grant now worth around $1.5m. Because I forward exercised my options at a low valuation I didn't have to worry about paying taxes if I exercised at a later time when the company's valuation grew. It also meant that my gains became long-term capital gains, and thus taxed lower, as soon as possible after I vested each month.
I was lucky to join a now unicorn as one of the first few dozen employees a few years ago. I forward exercised with a few thousand out of pocket (section 83b) an equity grant now worth around $1.5m. Because I forward exercised my options at a low valuation I didn't have to worry about paying taxes if I exercised at a later time when the company's valuation grew. It also meant that my gains became long-term capital gains, and thus taxed lower, as soon as possible after I vested each month.