A common way to own equity in a company is to invest in a publicly traded company listed on a stock exchange. For public companies, information about the company is transparent.
A 20% equity stake means you own 20% of a company. This means you have a right to 20% of the company's profits and assets. If the company were to be sold, you would be entitled to 20% of the proceeds.
Equity represents the shareholders' stake in the company, identified on a company's balance sheet. The calculation of equity is a company's total assets minus its total liabilities, and it's used in several key financial ratios such as ROE.
In summary, 1% equity can be a good offer if the startup has strong potential, your role is significant, and the overall compensation package is competitive. However, it could also be seen as low depending on the context. It's essential to assess all these factors before making a decision.