I think working in startups is a great experience and also shows your entrepreneurial drive. You can only be successful there if you work independently with create problem solving. 

It was not an internship. You were paid, but at a later stage. That is totally fine and not a relevant detail. 

Hi there, 

I understand the situation.

In all fairness, nobody cares about whether you were paid or even how much you were paid. They are rather interested in the skills that you developed while being there, what you learned that you could re-deploy as a consultant. So don't worry too much about it and just focus on the skills and impact you had while there, not anything related to the compensation. 

Best,

Cristian

Hi there,

No need to bring this up unless you're asked (and I can't see why they would ask)!

If they do ask, just say that there was an equity compensation plan, but you left before that was brought to fruition in order to work on other things.

Absolutely having him as the referee works!

Yep as others have said, no need to mention this and do have the founder as a referee.

All the best.

Hi there,

1) Should I communicate the fact it was unpaid during the application process or only if asked? 

No need. It will be sufficient that you show the contract/communication shared as proof for the background check.

2) From a background check perspective would having the start-up founder as a referee be suffice.

So far that he was the person responsible for recruiting/ultimate reference, yes.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hey there,

No need to communicate that you were not paid. The founder would be your reference.

Cheers and all the best,

Florian

Hello!

No, not at all. Same way as you didn´t make any references to what you make or not in the other entries of your CV, no need to put anything here. Furthermore, changes nothing. 

Cheers, 

Clara

Hey there - 

Just put the work you did as an internship like you have put any of your work experiences. I have never been asked about any that were paid/ unpaid etc. No one really cares about that. 

Hi - great question.

It is not necessary to state that it was unpaid. You can just factually list your role and any achievements associated with it.

Hope this helps
Kurt

No not necessary. As long as you did the work and someone can verify it, they will not care if and how much you were paid.

Best,

Udayan