Say it like this
- We're targeting an IPO in 2026
- The company filed for an IPO last quarter
- IPO preparations are underway in the finance team
Use it at work
Company news
- The company is planning an IPO next year.
- After the IPO, we can sell our shares.
In an interview
- Is the company planning an IPO?
- How would an IPO affect my stock options?
Planning
- We need SOC 2 before the IPO.
- The IPO is on hold because of the market.
Don't say this
IPO is a financial term about companies, not a verb for software processes. Use release, ship, or deploy instead.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPO | Company starts selling shares publicly | Leadership, finance | Going public |
| acquisition | Another company buys you | Leadership | Exit event |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your startup just became profitable. An investor mentions timing. What would you likely say?
2. After the company _______ in 2021, employees with stock options became millionaires.
3. Which sentence uses IPO incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this using proper tech and business English: We want to be a public company so people can buy our stock.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We're targeting an IPO in 2026"
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More about IPO
Real examples(4)
- in a town hall
"The CFO said we're not planning an IPO this year, so don't expect your RSUs to become liquid soon."
- in a job interview
"Is the company planning to go public, or is an acquisition more likely?"
- in a chat with a colleague
"Their IPO priced above the range, which usually means investors wanted a lot of shares."
- in an offer negotiation
"My options are only worth something after an IPO or an acquisition, so what is the realistic timeline?"
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. IPO refers to Initial Public Offering (company going public), not a software process. Do not confuse with input-process-output models or internal company processes.
- ✕The IPO process happens daily in our company.✓Our company is undergoing IPO preparations.
IPO is a one-time major event, not a recurring process. Use going public or IPO preparation instead.
- ✕We should IPO our product to more countries.✓We should expand our product to more countries.
IPO is about company ownership and stock markets, not product expansion. Use expand, launch, or roll out instead.
Other forms(3)
- IPO noun
"The company completed its IPO on the NASDAQ exchange."
- go public noun
"Many tech startups eventually go public through an IPO."
- pre-IPO adjective
"Pre-IPO companies often offer stock options to retain talent."
Often used with(5)
- file for an IPO · Used when a company officially starts the IPO process with regulators
- IPO roadshow · The marketing tour where company leaders pitch to potential investors before IPO
- IPO pricing · The determination of the initial share price before the public offering
- post-IPO · The period after a company has gone public
- IPO date · The specific day when shares begin trading publicly
Similar words(3)
- going public · More informal phrasing for the same concept; used interchangeably
- public offering · Broader term that includes both initial and subsequent public share offerings
- listing · When a company lists its shares on a stock exchange; similar but slightly different emphasis
Opposites(3)
- private company
- pre-IPO
- delisting
Questions(8)
- What is an IPO in simple words?
- It is when a private company starts selling shares to the public for the first time, on an exchange like NASDAQ or the NYSE. The company raises money, and early investors and employees can later sell their shares.
- What does an IPO mean for employees?
- If you hold stock options or RSUs, an IPO usually makes them possible to sell, often after a lock-up period of about six months. People ask “Are we planning to IPO?” when they think about the value of their equity.
- What does IPO stand for?
- IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. It is the first time a private company sells its shares to the public on a stock exchange.
- What is a lock-up period after an IPO?
- A lock-up is a set time after the IPO, often about six months, when employees and early investors cannot sell their shares. It stops a flood of selling right after the company lists.
- What is the difference between an IPO and an acquisition?
- In an IPO, the company sells shares to the public and stays independent. In an acquisition, another company buys it. Both let early investors and employees cash out, so both are called exits.
- How do you say IPO out loud?
- Say the three letters: eye-pee-oh, with the stress on the last letter. Do not say it as one word.
- What happens to employee stock options at an IPO?
- It depends on your plan and contract. Usually your options or RSUs stay valid and you can sell the shares once any lock-up ends. Read your equity agreement or ask HR. This is general information, not financial advice.
- How can I ask about IPO plans politely in an interview?
- Try: What is the company long-term plan for liquidity, for example an IPO or an acquisition? It sounds professional and does not sound like you only care about money.
