Do regular investors ever get to buy an IPO?

[erwin1978]

As I understand it the IPO is exclusively offered to the big mutual/hedge fund managers. After they get their fill the general public can have the leftovers.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Usually but not always. I believe Google allowed individual investors to participate in their IPO.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Dutch Auction IPOs, like what Google did, are the best way for Joe Public to get in. The success of Google's IPO made that a more mainstream practice.

Vonage offered their customers a chance to get in via their "Directed Share Program", though I'm not sure if that is a common practice, and that IPO certainly hasn't been a success.

 

[Miramonti]

Its become common for large online brokerage accounts to offer opportunities for IPO's to their customers.