A web and social media-based, fully automated offering of stock such as an Initial Public Offering (IPO) allows retail investors to participate with small amounts of money, while allowing issuing companies to build customer loyalty, and while complying with securities regulations. Several days before the offering date, users enroll in the offering via an enrollment user interface, providing a non-binding amount to invest. A preliminary prospectus, including an expected price range of the shares, is provided, and a suitability algorithm is performed. An IPO deposit is transferred from a payment source to an escrow account. A countdown clock to a time of the offering is provided. During a limited time window, the users can confirm or change the non-binding amount. After the time window, the shares are allocated. Enrollment in a post-IPO Customer Stock Ownership Plan (CSOP) and/or a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) is also facilitated.
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