Facebook IPO sparks million-dollar dreams of riches, adventure

Travelling to space or embarking on an expedition to excavate lost Mayan ruins are normally the stuff of adventure novels.

But for employees of Facebook, these and other lavish dreams are moving closer to reality as the world's No 1 online social network prepares for a blockbuster initial public offering that could create at least a thousand millionaires.

The most anticipated stock market debut (Reports say Facebook plans to file documents as early as February 1, Wednesday) of 2012 is expected to value Facebook at as much as $100 billion, which would top just about any of Silicon Valley's most celebrated coming-out parties, from Netscape to Google Inc.

Even the most conservative market-watchers say Facebook seems destined to set a new benchmark in a region famous for minting fortunes, with even the rank-and-file employees reaping millions of dollars.

Facebook employees past and present are already hatching plans on how to spend their anticipated new wealth, even as securities regulations typically prevent employee stock options from being cashed in until after a six-month lock-up period.

Image: US Senator Charles Schumer (R), Facebook's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sheryl Sandberg (2nd R) and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (L) pose for a picture at the new Facebook office in New York on December 2.

Text: Alexei Oreskovic and Sarah McBride, Reuters

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