Reddit Gears Up For Initial Public Offering in March

Reddit is gearing up for its initial public offering (IPO) in March, marking a significant milestone for the social media platform. After contemplating a listing for over three years, Reddit's decision to go public comes amid fierce competition for advertising revenue from platforms like TikTok and Facebook.

According to a Reuters report, Reddit's IPO is set to be the first major public offering by a social media company since Pinterest in 2019. This move is particularly noteworthy as Reddit users, known for their influence in various "meme" stock rallies, will be closely watched to gauge their support for the company's stock market debut.

Having filed confidentially for its IPO in December 2021, Reddit is reportedly planning to make its public filing in late February. The company aims to kick off its roadshow in early March, with the IPO expected to be completed by the end of March, as per insider information.

Valued at around $10 billion in a 2021 funding round, the San Francisco-based company intends to sell approximately 10% of its shares in the IPO. The specific valuation will be determined closer to the listing date. However, sources caution that potential delays in Reddit's IPO plans have been observed in the past.

Founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit gained recognition for its specialized discussion groups and user-driven content ranking system. Although primarily reliant on advertising for revenue, Reddit has yet to turn a profit, a fact acknowledged by Huffman in a Reddit post last June. Challenges include continuous platform investments and lower user engagement with advertisements compared to other social media platforms.

The decision to go public was deferred until Reddit approached profitability, influenced by market volatility that disrupted IPO plans in the preceding two years. Despite generating revenue through advertising and offering premium access at $5.99 per month, Reddit has faced challenges in turning a profit. Last year, the platform announced its intention to charge companies for access to its application programming interface (API), leading to discontent among users relying on third-party apps to access Reddit.

As Reddit prepares for its IPO, expected to raise funds through the sale of shares, the company anticipates a pivotal moment in its evolution. The market will be closely watching Reddit's trajectory in the competitive landscape of social media stocks.