Most things are not as risky as they seem.
You can win with the best product, the best price, or the best experience.
Many of the best YC companies have had phenomenally small number of employees for their first year, sometimes none besides the founders.
Experience matters for some roles and not others.
Because so few people make an actual long term commitment to what they're building, the ones that do have a huge advantage.
As you grow, it feels hopelessly corporate but it really is worth putting in place these compensation bands.