The SpaceX IPO will likely be the largest public offering in history... But before you get excited, Nicole breaks down how the IPO machine actually works, and why some of the smartest people in finance say the system is rigged against you.

Nicole walks through the full IPO process step by step: what underwriters actually do (and what they charge for it), how the roadshow and book-building work, and why the price you'll pay on IPO day is not the price institutional investors paid. She also covers what SpaceX employees need to know right now about their equity, stock options, RSUs, lockup periods, and the tax surprises that can blindside you before you sell a single share.

Then, Nicole shares the framework she uses to evaluate any IPO, including the two sections of the S-1 prospectus most retail investors skip, and explains how you can get in on SpaceX before the IPO.

Check out Nicole’s financial literacy course The Money School 

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Watch video clips from the pod on Money Rehab’s Instagram and Nicole Lapin’s Instagram 

Here's what Nicole covers today: 

00:00 Are You Ready for Some Money Rehab? 

00:04 The SpaceX IPO: Just How Historic Is It? 

01:08 How the IPO Process Actually Works 

02:12 What Underwriters Do (and What They Cost) 

03:04 The Roadshow and How IPO Pricing Works 

03:45 NYSE vs. NASDAQ: Where Will SpaceX List? 

04:25 Why Companies Go Public 

05:14 What SpaceX Employees Need to Know About Their Equity 

06:00 Lockup Periods Explained 

07:06 Three Things Every Employee Must Do Before an IPO 

08:06 Is the IPO System Rigged? Bill Gurley's Argument 

10:00 The Figma Example: How Retail Investors Got Burned 

11:19 How to Evaluate Any IPO Before You Invest 

13:27 Watch the Lockup Expiration Date 

14:09 Tip You Can Take Straight to the Bank

All investing involves the risk of loss, including loss of principal. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any financial decisions or investments.