Google, Inc. the ubiquitous search giant officially opened its e-doors to their IPO, which looms over the horizon. The IPO is expected to make the company over $3.3 billion Dollars, with the company offering 24,636,659 Shares

The new Initial Public Offering website is located at https://www.ipo.google.com/. The site contains a newly released company prospectus which outlines Google’s mission, it’s long-term goals, and more.

The prospectus may be viewed in its entirety by clicking here.

Google will use a dual class structure to ensure that the founders can keep control of the company, even as it is publicly held, and maintain Google’s "core values." Google has also noted that it will not pay out any dividends in the near future.

Bidding on Google’s stock comes with serious risks. Google outlines these risks, which include:

• Significant Competition from Microsoft and Yahoo
• Competition from other Internet companies, including "web search providers, Internet advertising companies and destination web sites that may also bundle their services with Internet access."
• Declining company growth rate and increased "downward pressure" on Google’s operating margin.
• Lack of innovation reduces ability to compete.
• Loss of advertisers or advertisers reduction in spending.
• Web-documents that are proprietary and subsequently Google is not able to index.
• Technology or software could block Google ads.
• Costly legal fees in association with defending intellectual property rights.
• Failure to detect "click through fraud", which would jeopardize advertiser confidence.

Google stock will be offered in a quite uncommon form. The founders of the company insist that the reason for an unconventional approach to their IPO is to allow a democratic process, and to allow everybody a chance to own Google.

The auction process will begin with a requirement that all bidders obtain a bidder ID. Once the auction has begun, new bidders will not be able to obtain an ID. Bidders must contact an underwriter (via the list in the Google prospectus) to submit a bid. Bidding is in a silent auction style.

To obtain the list of Google’s underwriters, visit https://www.ipo.google.com/data/prospectus.html#toc16167_6.