An Initial Public Offering () is the first sale of company shares to the public on a stock exchange. It allows a private company to become publicly traded and raise capital from general public investors for funding expansion, paying off debts, acquiring assets, supporting research and development etc. It also allows early investors and founders to sell their shares and realise their investments.

When going public, a company hires an investment bank or underwriter to manage the offering. The bank or underwriter helps set the IPO price, conduct due diligence, and market the offering to potential investors. After the IPO is successful, company shares are listed and begin trading on the stock exchange.