# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001661779
**File Stem:** 0001104659-25-059012
**Filing Date:** 2025-6
**Character Count:** 20047
**Document Hash:** a2855220cf0fca9b35969ffa387ec845
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-25-059012.hdr.sgml**: 20250613

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-25-059012

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 5

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250613

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250612

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20250613

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** STARTENGINE CROWDFUNDING, INC.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001661779
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** FINANCE SERVICES [6199]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-287990
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251044248

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 4100 WEST ALAMEDA AVENUE
- **STREET 2:** 3RD FLOOR
- **CITY:** BURBANK
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 91505
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 800-317-2200

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 4100 WEST ALAMEDA AVENUE
- **STREET 2:** 3RD FLOOR
- **CITY:** BURBANK
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 91505

**As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on **June 12**, 2025**

**Registration No. 333- _______** 

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933**

**StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.**

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **46-5371570** |
| (State or other jurisdiction of<br> incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer<br> Identification No.) |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **4100 West Alameda Avenue, 3<sup>rd</sup> Floor**<br> **Burbank, CA** | **91505** |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (ZIP Code) |

---

**<u>StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. 2025 Equity Incentive Plan</u><br> (Full title of the plan)**

**Howard Marks**

**Chief Executive Officer**

**StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.**

**4100 West Alameda Avenue, 3<sup>rd</sup> Floor**

**Burbank, CA 91505**

**<u>(800) 317-2200</u>**

 **(Name, address including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)**

***Copies of all communications to:***

**Jamie Ostrow, Esq.**<br> **CrowdCheck Law LLP**<br> **700 12<sup>th</sup> Street NW, Suite 700**<br> **Washington, DC 2005**<br>

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ◻ Accelerated filer ◻ <br> Non-accelerated filer ⌧ Smaller reporting company ⌧ <br> ◻ Emerging growth company ⌧

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ◻

**PART I**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS** 

StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. (the "*Registrant*") files this Registration Statement on Form S-8 in connection with the Registrant's StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. 2025 Equity Incentive Plan (the "*Plan*"). The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to each participant in the Plan as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "*Securities Act*"). These documents and the documents incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. Such documents are not filed as part of this Registration Statement in accordance with the Note to Part I of the Form S-8 Registration Statement.

**PART II**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference**

The following documents, which have been previously filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "*SEC*"), are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Registrant's Annual Report on [Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1661779/000155837025004274/stgc-20241231x10ka.htm) ;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Registrant's Annual Report referred to in (a) above; including the Registrant's Quarterly Report on [Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1661779/000155837025007942/stgc-20250331x10qa.htm) and the Registrant's Current Report on [Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on May 6, 2025](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1661779/000110465925045014/tm2514199d1_8k.htm) ;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The description of the Registrant's Common Stock set forth under the caption "Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered" in the Registrant's Registration Statement on [Form 10 (File No. 000-56415), originally filed with the SEC on April 6, 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1661779/000110465922043111/tm2210980d1_1012g.htm) , as amended from time to time.

In addition, all documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and are a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; except as to any portion of any future annual or quarterly report to stockholders or document or current report furnished under current Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K that is not deemed filed under such provisions. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

**Item 4. Description of Securities**

See Item 3(c) above.

**Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel**

Not applicable.

**Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers**

Our Seventh Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws") both provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Our Certificate of Incorporation states that a director of the company shall not be personally liable to the company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The company is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) through bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to the applicable limits on indemnification set forth in Sections 204 and 317 of the California Corporations Code with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation or its stockholders, to the extent the Corporation is subject to those provisions pursuant to Section 2115 of the California Corporations Code.

The Bylaws state that the company shall, to the maximum extent and in the manner permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, indemnify each of its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, settlements, and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the company.

**Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed**

Not applicable.

**Item 8. Exhibits**

---

| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Document Description** | **Form** | **File No.** | **Filing Date** | **Exhibit** | **Filed Herewith** |
| [5.1](tm2517316d1_ex5-1.htm) | [Opinion and Consent of CrowdCheck Law LLP](tm2517316d1_ex5-1.htm) |  |  |  |  | [X](tm2517316d1_ex5-1.htm) |
| [23.1](tm2517316d1_ex23-1.htm) | [Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm](tm2517316d1_ex23-1.htm) |  |  |  |  | [X](tm2517316d1_ex23-1.htm) |
| [23.2](tm2517316d1_ex5-1.htm) | [Consent of CrowdCheck Law LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1)](tm2517316d1_ex5-1.htm) |  |  |  |  | [X](tm2517316d1_ex5-1.htm) |
| [99.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1661779/000155837025007905/stgc-20250331xex10d4.htm) | [StartEngine Crowdfunding 2025 Equity Incentive Plan](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1661779/000155837025007905/stgc-20250331xex10d4.htm) | 10-Q | 000-56415 |  | 10.4 |  |
| [107](tm2517316d1_ex-filingfees.htm) | [Filing Fee Table](tm2517316d1_ex-filingfees.htm) |  |  |  |  | [X](tm2517316d1_ex-filingfees.htm) |

---

**Item 9. Undertakings**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

*Provided*, *however*, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Burbank, State of California, on June 12, 2025.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.** | **StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.** |
| By: | /s/ Howard Marks |
| Name: | Howard Marks |
| Title: | CEO |

---

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Signature** | **Title(s)** | **Date** |
| /s/ Howard Marks | Chief Executive Officer and Director | June 12, 2025 |
| Howard Marks |  |  |
| /s/ Ronald Miller | Chairman and Director | June 12, 2025 |
| Ronald Miller |  |  |
| /s/ Hunter Strassman | Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer | June 12, 2025 |
| Hunter Strassman |  |  |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

June 11, 2025

StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.

4100 W Alameda Ave., 3<sup>rd</sup> Floor

Burbank, CA 91505

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "**Company**"), and are delivering this opinion in connection with the filing of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "**Registration Statement**") with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "**Securities Act**"), an aggregate of Eighty Million (80,000,000) shares of Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share (the "**Securities**"), issuable pursuant to the Company's StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. 2025 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated to date (the "**Plan**").

We, as your counsel, have examined originals or copies of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion.

In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have, without independent inquiry or investigation, assumed that (i) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, (ii) all documents submitted to us as copies conform to authentic, complete originals, (iii) all signatures on all documents that we reviewed are genuine, (iv) all natural persons executing documents had and have the legal capacity to do so, (v) all statements in certificates of public officials and officers of the Company that we reviewed were and are accurate and (vi) all representations made by the Company as to matters of fact in the documents that we reviewed were and are accurate.

On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Securities have been duly authorized and, when and to the extent issued pursuant to the Plan upon receipt by the Company of the consideration for the Securities specified therein, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

---

| |
|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ CrowdCheck Law LLP |
| CrowdCheck Law LLP |

---

## Exhibit 23.1

**Exhibit 23.1**

![](tm2517316d1_ex23-1img01.jpg)

**CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc. of our report dated March 31, 2025, relating to our audits of the December 31, 2024 and 2023 financial statements of StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc.

Haynie & Company

Salt Lake City, Utah

June 11, 2025

## Ex-Filing

**EXHIBIT 107**

**CALCULATION OF FILING FEE TABLE**

**Form S-8**

(Form Type)

**StartEngine Crowdfunding, Inc.**

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Newly Registered Securities

---

| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Security**<br> **Type** | **Security Class <br> Title** | **Fee<br> Calculation<br> Rule** | **Amount Registered(1)** | **Proposed Maximum<br> Offering<br> Price Per Unit** | **Maximum <br> Aggregate<br> Offering Price** | **Fee Rate** | **Amount of<br> Registration<br> Fee** |
| Equity | Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share | Rule 457(h) | 80000000(2) | $1.25(3) | $100000000 (3) | 0.0001531 | $15310.00 |
| **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** | **Total Offering Amounts** |  | $100000000 (3) |  | $15310.00 |
| **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** | **Total Fee Offsets** |  |  |  | $— |
| **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** | **Net Fee Due** |  |  |  | $15310.00 |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement shall also be deemed to cover any additional securities that may from time to time be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) Represents shares of the Registrant's Common Stock currently available for issuance under the Registrant's StartEngine Crowdfunding 2025 Equity Incentive Plan.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the basis of the book value of Common Stock of the Registrant as of December 31, 2024.