We're motivated by different things, money and prestige being 2 of them.

Sometimes this is a trade-off, such as more brand prestige at Google vs. more money (via an exit) at a startup.

But the 2 aren't mutually exclusive.

You can work at a startup with prestigious vc-funding, get paid well, and also enjoy a sizeable exit. That's the best option in my opinion, and it's exactly what I'm doing.