One note from our experience - only about 10% of companies make their earnout requirements (32 deals)

The earnouts are usually put in when a team argues that their company has more value than the buyer is willing to pay for. The answer for the startup is to pass on the offer and build more value if they think they can, or take the offer and hope they can build more value for the earn out. If the team isn’t supplemented by the buyer or give access to strategic assets and markets, the team goes into a lull after an aquisition and they fail to deliver.

How about … pay down as much of your debt that you can. Draw down the money to live off of while you fnd a job or business you want to master and volunteer to work at a place of your dreams for free. Learn the ropes and start your new life with the remainder of your money.

The wealthy do things that other people value. You want to be wealthy not always running from bill collectors.