OpenAI, SpaceX, and Anthropic: What Potential IPOs Could Mean for Investors
- IIPS
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
After a quieter stretch in the IPO market, we are seeing more companies considering going public as we move through 2026. A lot of attention is centered around a few well-known private companies in areas like artificial intelligence, technology, and space.
Some of the names you may have seen in the news include OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX. These are companies many people already recognize. That alone has created a lot of curiosity about what it would mean to be able to invest in them.
Why You’re Hearing More About IPOs
In past IPO cycles, many companies were still relatively small when they first came to market. What makes this period different is that many of today’s most talked-about companies have already grown very large while still private.
These businesses are tied to areas people hear about every day:
Artificial Intelligence – tools and systems that are changing how businesses and individuals use technology.
Space and Communications – satellite networks, rocket launches, and global connectivity.
Large Technology Companies – established private companies that have grown for many years before becoming publicly available.
Because of this, there is often more excitement and expectation around these IPOs before they even begin trading.
What an IPO Actually Means (In Simple Terms)
An IPO is simply when a private company becomes available for public investors to buy shares.
It usually happens for two main reasons:
The company raises money to support future growth.
Early investors and employees are given a chance to sell some of their shares.
One important point that often surprises people is that the “IPO price” is not always the price most individual investors end up paying. Once trading begins, the price is set in the open market and can move quickly based on supply and demand.
What Typically Happens After a Company Goes Public
Even when a company is well known and highly regarded, the early period after an IPO can be unpredictable.
A few common reasons include:
Early investors may sell shares after initial restrictions expire.
The market is still learning how to value the company as a public business.
Expectations can shift quickly once financial results are released.
Because of this, it is not unusual to see meaningful ups and downs in the early months after a company goes public.
A Helpful Way to Think About IPOs
When investors ask about upcoming IPOs, we often encourage them to focus less on headlines and more on a few simple questions:
Why is the company going public right now?
Is the IPO raising new money for growth, or mostly allowing early investors to sell shares?
Does the price make sense compared to sales, growth, and profitability?
What risks are clearly outlined in the company’s filings?
These questions help shift the focus from excitement to understanding what is actually being offered.
Keeping Perspective
Companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX are widely respected for their innovation and long-term potential. It is completely understandable that investors are interested in them and may want to participate if and when they become available.
At the same time, history shows that IPOs can experience significant short-term volatility. Even strong companies can move up and down quite a bit in the early stages, especially when expectations are high.
Because of that, we believe the most important consideration is not just whether to invest, but at what price and under what conditions it makes sense.
We remain open to IPO opportunities and supportive of participating when they fit a long-term plan, with a preference for more reasonable entry points rather than chasing early excitement.
We have attached a couple of articles for you to review when you have a moment.
One of the key takeaways is the importance of separating excitement around a company’s story from the price you are paying for the stock. We found the third-party article from Horizon particularly helpful in highlighting this balance and explaining some of the considerations investors may want to keep in mind when evaluating upcoming IPOs.
If you are interested in any of these companies, we always enjoy those conversations and are happy to talk them through with you in plain language. Our goal is simply to help you understand how they work and whether they may be a good fit within your broader financial plan.
This is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
Comments