the very first sale of stock that a company makes to the public

An initial public offering is the very first sale of stock that a company makes to the public.

the process by which a private company first offers new stock shares to the public

An initial public offering is the process by which a private company first offers new stock shares to the public.

the first occasion on which shares are offered to the public

An initial public offering is the first occasion on which shares are offered to the public.

a process by which the company may do so and thereby go public

An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is a process by which the company may do so and thereby go public.

a financial event where a company first sells shares of stock to the general public

An initial public offering (IPO) is a financial event where a company first sells shares of stock to the general public.

the first sale of stock by a formerly private company

An initial public offering (IPO) is the first sale of stock by a formerly private company.

the launch of a company on the stock market where shares in the company are offered for the first time

An initial public offering is the launch of a company on the stock market where shares in the company are offered for the first time, resulting in a share price being set and the company being valued.

a process a private firm must go through to become a public company

An initial public offering is a process a private firm must go through to become a public company.

a big step in a company's growth

An initial public offering (IPO) is a big step in a company's growth because a company's growth lets the company raise money, gain credibility, and get more attention.

the issuance of new stock shares from a private company to the public

An initial public offering (IPO) is the issuance of new stock shares from a private company to the public.

a company �s 1st entry into the public stock market

An initial public offering (IPO) is a company’s 1st entry into the public stock market.

a significant event in the life of a company

An initial public offering is a significant event in the life of a company.

A direct public offering

A direct public offering is an initial public offering in which the stock is purchased directly from the company, usually without the aid of brokers.

the first time a company offers a company's shares for sale to general investors

An initial public offering (IPO) is the first time a company offers a company's shares for sale to general investors.