The whole notion that "employees have a guaranteed paycheck" or "employees are taking no risk" only applies to large, established corporations, or well-funded (in a meaningful, cash-in-hand sense; not the promises-and-notes sense) new companies. Even then it's only marginally applicable and tenuous at best, because office politics and other things beyond the employees' control makes their positions insecure (at best).
At start-ups the concept that employees are taking no risk is just laughable on its face.
At start-ups the concept that employees are taking no risk is just laughable on its face.