What's a DPO? A DPO is a direct public offering allowing you to sell stock directly to the public.

DPOs are specifically designed to let small businesses accessthe public capital markets with less cost and complexity than isinvolved in IPOs. DPOs typically raise amounts of less than $1million, but you can raise up to $25 million with DPO under certaincircumstances. You can also advertise and promote the sale of yourown stock if you hold a DPO, something other public companies areforbidden to do.

Excerpted from Grow Your Business