Does the initial market exploration and proving that they did count for nothing? They built the groundwork for a successful company, and (at least in spirit) I think they deserve to share in that.
It's pretty hard to tie down when the "majority" of the value was created. The majority of the "success" may have happened after they left. I have no idea of the specifics.
In these cases there are often two types of "right". Contractually "right" and morally "right". These founders probably deserve a lot more than they got. That's just the breaks when you get yourself involved with the wrong venture capitalists.
It depends, but 8 years is a very long time. The founders were present for about 1/3rd of the company's existence, according to the article.
I was going off the fact that the company raised VC money 7 times after the founders were gone (following 2 raises with the founders present).
Anyway, I agree there's not enough information.
As the article references Facebook quite a bit, it's ironic that in that case 2/4 co-founders got a lot more than they deserved .. they didn't even leave Harvard, but they reaped billions for a few months of part-time work.
It's pretty hard to tie down when the "majority" of the value was created. The majority of the "success" may have happened after they left. I have no idea of the specifics.
In these cases there are often two types of "right". Contractually "right" and morally "right". These founders probably deserve a lot more than they got. That's just the breaks when you get yourself involved with the wrong venture capitalists.