How do you invest in pre-IPO stock, like Linked-in (old) or Facebook? Is there some wayway to get in line?

[Chuka]

So if I wanna invest in Zynga now (or on opening day, or Facebook) how exactly do i do it? I'm sick of missing out on the action!

[MVD34]

in general it takes money and connections. Lots and high up. And Pre-ipo issues are a complicated mess in the US -- that is, almost everyone who can doll them out to favored clients is afraid to do so for fear of running afoul of the SEC. (For favoritism)

[A Nobody]

You don't

When there is an IPO, the distribution for sale rest solely on the syndicate manager who has a list of brokers and/or firs that they use to assist with the sale of the new issue.

There is absolutely no way a newbie can participate in the distribution either with the syndicate members and if the issue is "hot" there's no way you will be assigned any stock from broker/dealers who work with th syndicate.

Unless you're a big player and willing to take down a piece of all new issues both the good and the bad, from the syndicate you will be "missing" out on the action.

If you want the stock bad enough, just put your order in in the after market.

[Daniel Cooper]

To invest in an IPO, you have to fill out a IPO Eligibility Form 5130 through your broker. Once this is on file, it is a first come first serve basis to invest. Keep in mind that most smaller or discount brokers won't have access to an IPO. Investment banks like Merrill or Goldman are able to get their clients into IPO's because they are involved in them. If the company you trade with is not on the list for the IPO, you won't be able to get it through them.

Go to http://www.GrabTheHorns.com. There is a lot of analysis on recent IPO's. In fact, the most recent video on their site has to do with Zynga.

Hope this helps!