That's a great questions DH and I have thought about that alot.
The bonus about working for a bigger company is that you seem to get respected off the back quicker and it looks good on a resume. You tend have a bigger budget and are more high profile so you can get deals done much fasterm because most large companies may sponser an event or party and it helps you meet contacts fastedr. If you can deal with company politics and i have heard to get the things you want done you have to go thru a bunch of loop holes.
There are pro's and con's to both sides but for me im not every materiaistic or money hungy. I know this may not be my best trait however keep the 25k its not worth it to me.
I choose to do the latter and grow with the company as we progressed. It gives a feeling of satisfaction and accoplisment. It may take an extra year or two to get it but to me thats a much better feeling.
