The Reddit IPO: Everything you need to know

The online forum giant, Reddit, is taking a monumental leap towards the public market with its highly anticipated Initial Public Offering (IPO). This event has captured the attention of investors and the general public alike, sparking numerous questions and generating significant excitement. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the Reddit IPO, answering all your pressing questions and providing valuable insights.

What is Reddit?

Reddit is more than just a website; it’s a vibrant online community platform known for its unique culture and diverse user base. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Reddit functions as a social news aggregation and discussion website. Users, known as “Redditors,” can submit content (text, images, links) to specific communities called “subreddits” dedicated to various topics or interests. These communities foster a sense of shared knowledge and connection, allowing users to vote on and discuss submitted content, creating a dynamic and interactive experience.

Who owns Reddit?

Currently, Reddit is owned by Advance Publications, a prominent media conglomerate known for publications like The New York Times.

Based on the latest SEC filing (1Q423) and publicly available information, here’s what we know about some major investors (without specific stake percentages):

However, the upcoming IPO on 21st March 2024 may significantly alter the ownership structure. By going public, Reddit will offer its shares for purchase by the public, allowing investors to own a piece of the company and potentially influencing its future direction.

How much has Reddit raised to date?

According to Tracxn, a company tracking startup and private company data, Reddit has raised a total of $1.62 billion in funding over 7 rounds from various investors as of March 4, 2024.

While the SEC filing doesn’t explicitly state the total amount raised by Reddit, it does provide details on some of the major funding rounds. Here’s what we know based on the referenced SEC filing (1Q423):

Based on these confirmed figures alone, the total funding raised by Reddit exceeds $1 billion.

How does Reddit make money?

Reddit generates revenue primarily through advertising and premium memberships.

Advertising is the major source of income, with the platform offering various formats like display, native, and video ads. They aim to improve their advertising offerings by providing targeted advertising, user-friendly self-serve options for businesses, and a focus on brand safety for users.

Secondly, Reddit Premium is an optional subscription service that grants users an ad-free browsing experience and exclusive features, including access to a special subreddit and customization options.

Is Reddit Profitable?

The recent SEC filing (1Q423) doesn’t explicitly state whether Reddit is profitable. While the document details the company’s revenue generation methods, it doesn’t disclose specific information about profitability metrics like net income or profit margin.

However, the filing does offer some insights that can inform our understanding of Reddit’s financial health:

Therefore, based on the available information, it’s impossible to definitively conclude whether Reddit is currently profitable.

What is Reddit’s valuation? How much is Reddit worth?

While the exact figure isn’t explicitly stated in the SEC filing, Reddit’s estimated valuation during its IPO is around $6.5 billion. This information can be gleaned from the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section within the filing, specifically the subsection titled “Selling Stockholders.” This section details the aggregate offering price of shares sold by existing shareholders, which, when divided by the total number of shares offered, provides an estimate of the anticipated valuation per share.

Reddit IPO: Key Dates & Data for Retail Investors

Here’s a quick snapshot of key details for the upcoming Reddit IPO, specifically aimed at informing retail investors:

How to invest in Reddit IPO?

The forthcoming Reddit IPO has attracted considerable attention, prompting investors to seek information on how to participate. If you’re interested in purchasing Reddit stock, you will have the opportunity once the company goes public through its IPO and is listed on the stock market.

After it becomes publicly traded, you can acquire Reddit shares during the stock market’s operating hours, just as you would with any other publicly traded company.

Initially, it’s crucial to assess whether investing in Reddit is the right decision for you by examining their financial history and reports, which will be accessible after the company becomes public. With Public.com premium offering, you can access detailed business metrics for various publicly traded companies, including their financial performance, market capitalization, valuation, and growth metrics over time.

Currently, Reddit’s financial details are private, but upon going public, the company must disclose its financial statements quarterly. These documents will offer insights into Reddit’s cash flow, financial standing, and potential financial challenges, such as ongoing legal disputes.

If you decide to invest in Reddit post-listing, you can purchase the stock via the Public.com app or the web.