Do you think equity financing is riskier than a traditional loan for founders? And if so, why?

It depends on the context: Usually, equity financing involves giving up a portion of ownership in the company in exchange for capital, while a loan requires only the repayment of money with interest. In comparison, equity financing may be more difficult to obtain and could require renouncing control of the company if the negotiations are not well conducted. A loan is generally easier to obtain and offers more predictable conditions, but requires repayments even if the company's activity is not good.