Meet the regular people making money off SpaceX's IPO -- from a few bucks to a few million

SpaceX's IPO ignited a rare moment where ordinary investors could claim a stake in a historic listing. The offering raised about $75 billion and sent SpaceX's valuation past $2 trillion as demand for its AI and space initiatives surged. The stock opened at $150 a share on Nasdaq, creating instant wealth for Elon Musk's company and its early supporters. Daniella Rodriguez, a 23-year-old from Miami, was allocated one share ahead of the debut and sold after 17 minutes for about $24 in profit. She framed the decision as a chance to be part of history while preserving room for upside. Retail investors like Rodriguez contrasted with insiders, and stories of large windfalls followed the day. Robert, a former SpaceX engineer in Arizona, said his private shares were worth more than $4 million at the close, having earned equity during five years with the company. He described moving from near-poverty to substantial wealth after diversifying his holdings and buying his 'forever' home with earlier sales. The IPO marked the biggest ever, rewarding many non-insiders who received small allocations through brokerages, underscoring the feverish demand for SpaceX's growth story.