The techniques (price discovery) that are used, in the area of investment banking, to find out the potential market price prior to taking an issue to the market. For example, book building is a type of pre-market discovery techniques, that aims to establish a pre-market price for initial public offerings (IPOs) and secondary offerings. Book building is an integral part of the price discovery process for majority of initial public offerings.

The roadshow and indications of interest (IOI) provides an issuer and its banker with a clear perception about pricing and demand for the securities from professional and experienced investors with large amounts of funds available for investment.