The IPO company's employees and friends: The company's employees, managers, and even friends, family, initial venture capitalists, and other private investors might also be able to buy the IPO shares before its official opening as a thank you for their early support. If your brokerage is selling the IPO stock and you meet its requirements, your next move would be to request shares in the IPO using your brokerage account. If you favor a company that's going public but can't get access to its IPO shares, consider investing after the IPO phase is complete.