Without getting into a lot of technical details, let us understand what an Initial Public Offering or IPO means in very simplistic terms. Let us say that there is a Company A, which is doing well, and wants to raise money for further expansion.
Subject to fulfilling all conditions laid down by the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the company can raise money by issuing fresh shares to the public and also to select investment banks, mutual funds and institutions.
The fresh issue of capital at a share price would be determined by the merchant bankers and the company. Thus when shares are issued to the public, the company will than get its shares listed and become a full-fledged company. The process of listing a company by offering shares to various categories of investors is called an IPO.