Pro Tip: they'll give you that raise until the project you're on is completed. Then they'll give you the boot. Price/resume shoppers not only cause a lot of headaches if their success becomes apparent to others within the organization, but the bosses rarely like being held hostage to outside influencers.
In a start-up, that type of behavior is rarely rewarded in the long term as founders tend to be people who develop relationships based on trust and loyalty and who also talk amongst themselves and you'll run the risk of being blackballed. Do it once if you feel underpaid, but don't expect much upside after that.
My advice is to look for a job, consider offers and take the one that fits what you're looking for in compensation/organization. In the future, your current employer may reassess your value and hire you back at a higher scale. I've seen this happen before.
Why is it a headache when an employee compares offers, but ok when a company tries to pay as little as they can get away with?
BTW, this only works if you're willing to leave for the much better offer. It sounded like the OP was unhappy with his pay. Nothing wrong with that. From what I've seen, though, substantial raises come from switching jobs and counter offers. If you're happy with your work and pay, then by all means stay.
1. Your manager there is concerned with building their fiefdom and without a loyal crew, they know they won't succeed internally. They'll have little time for your negotiations skills and will be very unimpressed if you bring up offers from unknown starts-ups. They're a manager at a Fortune 500 company, dontcha know? It's their life and chosen career, not to mention their lifeline. You're dead to them once you leave or hint of leaving for more money.
2. Salary levels and compensation packages are designed and set by professional HR crew whose job it is to keep labor costs down and weed out malcontents. Where do they get their salary guidelines? From industry groups and consultants who specialize in companies of that size and who share that same info with every one of their clients. Good luck walking around with an offer from a similar-sized competitor. They'll be on the phone to them, probably friends, telling them what a dunce you are and you'll find your offer rescinded. Never ever mention where you're going or what they'll be paying you. Much less at a big company.
3. No matter how big or small the organization, outside of the entertainment industry, and I include sports here, very few will be willing to tolerate a disruptive prima donna for very long. Especially rank and file developers with visions of grandeur brought on by big money stories and newly acquired skills.
Like I said, present your situation to management but don't wait around for them to bring salaries into line. Some times they simply can't, you've misread the market or your importance to them. If that's the case, don't force their hand.
In a start-up, that type of behavior is rarely rewarded in the long term as founders tend to be people who develop relationships based on trust and loyalty and who also talk amongst themselves and you'll run the risk of being blackballed. Do it once if you feel underpaid, but don't expect much upside after that.
My advice is to look for a job, consider offers and take the one that fits what you're looking for in compensation/organization. In the future, your current employer may reassess your value and hire you back at a higher scale. I've seen this happen before.