direct share program

Topic

A component of Reddit's IPO strategy to allocate shares for purchase to its most active moderators and users, a move seen as potentially risky.


First Mentioned

1/3/2026, 4:16:34 AM

Last Updated

1/3/2026, 4:22:50 AM

Research Retrieved

1/3/2026, 4:22:50 AM

Summary

A direct share program (DSP), also known as a directed share program, is a financial mechanism used during an Initial Public Offering (IPO) where an issuing company reserves a portion of shares for specific individuals—such as employees, directors, and valued customers—to purchase at the initial offering price. In 2024, Reddit notably implemented a direct share program for its moderators as part of its IPO strategy, a move that was analyzed for its potential risks and impact on the company's S1 filing. This financial topic is distinct from 'Quick Share,' a wireless peer-to-peer data transfer service developed by Samsung and Google that merged with Nearby Share in 2024 to facilitate file transfers across Android and Windows devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Pricing

    Initial Public Offering (IPO) price

  • Transferability

    Non-transferable to other individuals

  • Alternative Name

    Directed Share Program (DSP)

  • Reddit Specifics

    Included moderators as eligible participants for its 2024 IPO

  • Commonly Known As

    Friends and Family list

  • Typical Allocation

    Often exceeds 5% of total shares issued in an IPO

Timeline
  • Google and Samsung merge Nearby Share into Quick Share, distributing it to non-Galaxy Android devices. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2024-01-01

  • Reddit's S1 filing and the risks associated with its direct share program for moderators are analyzed on the All-In Podcast. (Source: dc653a59-1711-437d-95cf-b5b07878217e)

    2024-02-29

Quick Share

Quick Share is a wireless peer-to-peer data transfer service for Android, ChromeOS and Windows; Originally developed by Samsung Electronics for its own devices, Google subsequently collaborated with Samsung and merged its own Nearby Share into Quick Share in 2024, distributing Quick Share to non-Galaxy Android devices through Google Play Services. Quick Share utilizes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct to send files to nearby devices or through Samsung Cloud for non-Galaxy devices.

Web Search Results
  • What's a directed share program? - Robinhood

    What’s a directed share program? A directed share program (DSP) gives an issuing company the chance to set aside a certain number of shares, at the initial public offering (IPO) price, for a specific group of people. This DSP group, also known as friends and family, typically includes employees, valued customers, vendors, and others who have a relationship with the company. [...] Yes, you’re responsible for purchasing the shares that you requested if they’re allocated to you. You can cancel or edit your DSP request during the confirmation window. After the window closes, you cannot withdraw or edit your COB. If shares are allocated to your account, the order is processed at the IPO price. So, you should only request the amount of shares you are genuinely interested in purchasing as you may be allocated all the shares requested. [...] 4784959

  • Directed Share Program

    ####  What is a Directed Share Program? A Directed Share Program (the “Program”) is a program that allows individuals identified by an issuing company, such as officers, directors, employees, and other invited individuals, to purchase shares in the company’s IPO at the initial offering price, subject to certain eligibility requirements. ####  How do I participate in the Directed Share Program? [...] No. The Directed Share Program is not a solicitation or recommendation that you purchase shares; it is simply an invitation by the issuing company. After reviewing the preliminary prospectus and the information provided on this website, you may decide not to participate in the Directed Share Program. Furthermore, you are under no obligation to purchase the shares that are made available to you, and you will have the opportunity to make your investment decision when you log back on to this [...] During the application process, you will submit your indication of interest for the number of shares you wish to purchase in the Directed Share Program. At any point prior to the application deadline, you can return to this step to make changes (provided the number of shares remains in the listed range). After the IPO price is set and you return to the application to confirm the shares you will purchase, you will see the number of shares the company has allocated to you. The shares allocated

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Directed Share Program. The rules governing eligibility for participation are established by the company, as is the method of allocation. Friends, family and employees who are allocated shares of the Directed Share Program purchase shares at the initial public offering price. Can I transfer my eligibility to participate to a friend or family member? No, the invitation to participate is non-transferrable. Only those friends, family and employees who meet the issuing company’s eligibility [...] experiencing problems with the web site or have questions on the offering? Please call one of our Directed Share Program specialists at 800-358-2670. They can assist you with technical issues or answer questions regarding the offering or participation process. Is the Directed Share Program website secure? To protect your information and assets, Fidelity employs extensive physical, electronic, and procedural security controls, regularly adapting them as technology and threats evolve. Click on [...] individual investors. Being allocated shares at the Offering Price is referred to as participating in the IPO. Participation in the IPO happens before the security is first traded on any of the stock exchanges. What is a Directed Share Program? A Directed Share Program (“DSP”) allows a company that is going public to reserve a certain percentage of their public offering for eligible participants. The company identifies certain friends, family and employees who are eligible to participate in the

  • Directed share program

    Often referred to as a “friends and family list,” it is a program designed to allow company employees to purchase stock as part of an initial public offering. In some cases, directed share programs are also open to participation by other individuals or entities that have some established relationship with the company. Directed share program What is it? Directed share program What is it? [...] The program sets aside stock which qualifi ed parties may purchase at the public offering price. Typically it can exceed 5% of total shares issued in IPO or Secondary. The terms may vary slightly, but they always address certain essential components: a specifi ed quantity of stock and criteria that qualifi ed parties must meet. [...] © 2020 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. 20-37-03572_3721 (11/20) Benefi ts of program Directed share prtograms can be an attractive way to provide additional benefi ts to company employees. By allowing employees to acquire shares of stock in the company, the relationship between employer and employee is strengthened. Along with enjoying compensation for services rendered as an employee of the company, the individual also

  • Understanding the IPO share allocation process - Fidelity Investments

    Directed share program allocations – In some cases, an IPO issuer may choose to direct a significant allocation of shares to existing investors or "friends" of the company. When this happens, it typically reduces the number of shares available to retail investors.