The best IPO stocks to watch in 2026

This year has seen more than two hundred companies going public, and with some breakthrough innovators and established sector leaders likely to step into the public arena next year as well, 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for the equities market. Against this promising setup, Finbold has singled out two of the best IPO stocks to watch in 2026.

1. SpaceX

For all intents and purposes, Elon Musk confirmed on December 10, 2025, that a SpaceX stock IPO would be coming soon. Even though the company itself had not issued a public statement, the market could not have been happier to hear the news, as a SpaceX IPO would be among the most important market events in recent history.

Namely, SpaceX generates billions in revenue as the leading space-launch provider, and its Starlink unit has become a major global provider of satellite internet and telecommunications services. More notably, figures upwards of $1.5 trillion have been floating around when it comes to valuation. 

What excites investors the most, however, is the company’s longer-term potential. Indeed, the management’s focus is not only on exploring the final frontier but bringing highly profitable industries into space. For instance, data centers in orbit have made a lot of headlines this month.

Understandably, then, the decision to forego the private moniker would rank among the largest public offerings in history and instantly cement SpaceX not only as one of the best IPO stocks to watch in 2026 but also one of the most valuable companies on the planet – and beyond.

2. OpenAI

Investors tend to view CEO Sam Altman’s every move as a setup for a potential OpenAI stock IPO. However, following some recent developments, the AI leader might actually be setting the stage  for it. 

To be specific, The Wall Street Journal reported on December 18, 2025, that the company was seeking to raise $100 billion in funding. This would push its valuation to $830 billion and help scale its AI efforts in an ever-more competitive market. Expectedly, the news was interpreted as another sign of an upcoming IPO.

Of course, one could argue that private funding could also allow Altman to postpone a public offering, as going public itself tends to be about raising capital. Similarly, CFO Sarah Friar is known for emphasizing that there is no pressure to pursue an IPO yet. 

However, one important thing could influence the higher ups to take the direction the market has been hoping for: its rivalry with Anthropic. Founded in 2021 by former senior OpenAI executives, Anthropic is projected to reach $70 billion in revenue by 2028. 

This momentum could give some credence to rumors of a potential IPO in 2026, which could in turn influence OpenAI’s trajectory, too. While neither company has provided any official updates, both of them are worth keeping an eye on next year, as their long-term prospects appear to be quite dependent on each other.

What are the best IPO stocks to watch in 2026?

Taken together, SpaceX and OpenAI highlight just how pivotal 2026 could be for the IPO market. The two companies are leaders in their respective fields, commercial space and artificial intelligence, both of which are among the most promising narratives this past decade. 

As both of them approach key milestones that could push them toward the public markets, the buzz is getting louder, and investor sentiment is gradually improving, meaning that regardless of the outcome, they are without a doubt among the most promising IPO stocks to watch in 2026.

Featured image via Shutterstock