An initial public offering, commonly known as an IPO, is the process of a private company becoming a publicly traded company. The bid price refers to the minimum price at which an investor can purchase shares of the company during the IPO. This price is set by the company and their underwriters based on market demand and the value of the company's stock. As a knowledgeable investor, it is crucial to understand the bid price and its implications when considering investing in an IPO.