Groupon's November 2011 IPO was the largest by a U.S.-based Internet company since Google. Groupon raised $700 million at $20 per share with the offering. Groupon has been called the fastest-growing company ever and with good cause. Groupon perfectly timed three key events: 1) The explosion of social media and sharing information on sites like Facebook and Twitter. 2) The overwhelming desire of American consumers to save money due to widespread belt-tightening. And 3) Small businesses' desperate need to bring in new customers and generate sales in the worst economy in over 70 years. Groupon started with a handful of employees and ultimately topped out at more than 3,000 worldwide.