ITEM 1: BUSINESS
Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results (Cautionary Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
The disclosure and analysis set forth herein concerning Start Scientific, Inc. (hereafter, “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”) contains certain forward-looking statements, particularly statements relating to future actions, performance or results of current and anticipated products and services, sales efforts, expenditures, and financial results. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking statements in other publicly released materials, both written and oral. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations or forecasts of future events such as new products or services, product approvals, revenues, and financial performance. These statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. We use words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “expects,” “will,” and other words and phrases of similar meaning. In all cases, a broad variety of assumptions can affect the realization of the expectations or forecasts in those statements. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially.
We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, but investors are advised to consult any further disclosures by the Company on this subject in our subsequent filings pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Furthermore, as permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we provide these cautionary statements identifying risk factors, listed below, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Consequently, this list should not be considered an exhaustive statement of all potential risks, uncertainties, and inaccurate assumptions.
Corporate Organization
The Company was formed in the State of Utah under the name of “Secure Networks, Inc.” on February 4, 2004, and was subsequently reincorporated in Delaware on February 14, 2007, under the name “Secure Netwerks, Inc.” At the time of its formation, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of SportsNuts, Inc., a Delaware corporation traded on the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board that files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On March 1, 2007, the shares of the Company were spun-off to the shareholders of SportsNuts, Inc. On November 11, 2011, the Company changed its name to Start Scientific, Inc.
On December 5, 2018, the Company effected a 1 share for 2,000 shares reverse stock split, which reduced the issued and outstanding shares of common stock from 745,024,353 shares to 372,514 shares. The accompanying financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split, and all disclosure references to common stock are post-split unless otherwise indicated.
As of June 30, 2021, we had 309 shareholders of record.
The Business of the Company
Overview
Prior to March 2012, we were a computer and technology hardware reseller to businesses and other organizations. Most of our clients were small and medium sized organizations, although we attempted to market our products and services to larger organizations. We also outsourced technology-related services to provide a full solution basket of technology products and services including hardware, software, network development and services. Our clients consisted of some retail purchasers and small to medium-sized organizations, operating mostly in North America, but we did have occasional clients in Europe. On April 2, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire two separate one-fourth (1/4) working interests
(collectively, the “Working Interests”) in certain oil and gas leases covering the Board of Education No. 6 Well located in Yazoo County, Mississippi ("Pickens") from Standard Energy Holdings LLC, an entity under common control. The consideration granted by the Company in exchange for the Working Interests consisted of ten million (10,000,000) shares of restricted common stock (pre-split). The Company has properly recorded its Working Interest with the County Recorder in Yazoo County, Mississippi.
Our Oil & Gas Interests
About the Pickens Field
The first oil field discovered in Mississippi, the Tinsley field, is located 27 miles to the southwest of the Pickens Field. The Pickens Field was discovered six months later.
The Pickens Field is located about 35 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, in Madison and Yazoo Counties. The field was discovered by Kingwood Oil Company in March of 1940 with the drilling of the R. E. Wilburn No.1, which is located in Section 31 of T12N-R3E, Yazoo County. The R.E. Wilburn was completed open hole in the Eutaw Wilburn sand at a depth of 4878-4889 feet, and initially tested 1013 barrels per day of 40 gravity oil and eventually produced 356,489 barrels of oil over its lifetime.
Pickens Field was discovered six months after the discovery of the Tinsley Field in western Yazoo County, and was the fourth field discovered in Mississippi. Pickens Field has produced 20,441,487 barrels of oil from the Eutaw Wilburn sand, approximately 2,000,000 barrels of oil from the Selma Chalk, and approximately 100,000 barrels of oil from the Tuscaloosa and Lower Cretaceous.
The Pickens Field is a ten-mile-long northwest-southeast trending fault line trap with up-thrown fault blocks and structural closer. The Selma Chalk and the Tuscaloosa reservoirs are also associated with the same type of trapping mechanisms. Pickens is located near the western end of the Pickens-Gilbertown fault system, which begins west of the Pickens Field, and extends to the southeast through the producing oil regions of Scott, Jasper, and Clarke counties Mississippi, and ending at the Gilbertown Field in Choctaw County, Alabama. This fault system is also located at the northern end of the Mississippi Interior Salt Basin and has had many oil fields discovered along its trend.
Other producing oil fields in the region are the Bentonia and Flora oil fields, which are 21 miles to the southwest. It is believed that an upward movement in the Louann Salt caused a northwest-southeast trending salt ridge, creating an overlying high relief Smackover structure and severe faulting in the shallow reservoirs of the Eutaw and other Cretaceous reservoirs. The high-grade crude oil that has charged the shallower horizons, most likely migrated up the faults from the Smackover structure below.
The Selma Chalk Formation. The Texas Oil Company discovered oil in the Selma Chalk formation in March of 1963 with the completion of the Eliza Thomas No.1. This well is located in the SE quarter of Section 29 of T12N-R3E, Yazoo County. The Chalk is a light gray carbonate rock, which is approximately 900 feet thick in the Pickens area. The Chalk is more sandy and permeable in the northwest portion of the field and less permeable in the southeast portion of the field. Up until 1963 the oil produced at the Pickens Field came from the Eutaw. Over the years as Eutaw wells were being drilled, it became common knowledge in the local oil industry as well as drilling contractors that a loss of circulation would sometimes occur when drilling through the Chalk. Also, oil would occasionally appear on the mud pits as drilling mud was circulated back to the surface after drilling through the Chalk section.
The Eliza Thomas No.1 was north of the Pickens Field on a separate fault. The Thomas well was originally drilled to 5,415 feet, and then completed in the Selma Chalk in the interval from 4434 to 4454. After acidizing, the well flowed 309 BOPD and no water, with 175 pounds of flowing tubing pressure. The Chalk oil was 37 gravity, similar to the Eutaw. Sidewall cores taken in the Chalk had a slight oil show, which probably led Texaco to complete in the interval.
The John McGowan Company and Clement & Stover subsequently drilled other Chalk wells after the successful completion of the Thomas well. These operators would typically run a Drill Stem Test to see if the Chalk would show oil. This was a fairly successful technique but was not always an indication of whether a well would be productive or not. McGowan and Clement & Stover, however, completed the more successful wells in the field such as the Varnado, the Livingston and the Bridgforth. Out of the 27 Chalk wells completed at the Pickens Field, the average cumulative production was 65,734 BO. However, the better producers in the field were the H. R. Varnado No. 1, the No. 2 Board of Supervisors, the Stewart Bridgforth No. 2, and the Livingston No. 1. These four wells averaged 263,000 BO per well. Drilling in the more permeable part of the field along with cutting the fault at the optimum depth most likely led to the higher recovery.
The No. 2 Board of Supervisors was drilled by Clement & Stover and is located in Section 16 of T12N-2E of Yazoo County. This well was completed in the Chalk open-hole and no log was run. The initial test was 64 BO and 8 BW per day and produced 287,482 BO cumulatively. This well steadily produced an average of 4472 barrels of oil per month (149 per day) for the first four years before it began to decline. The Clement-Stover/Stewart Bridgforth No. 2 flowed 168 BO and 48 BW per day on the initial test and produced a total of 213,500 BO. The McGowan/H. R. Varnado No.1 tested 156 BO per day and produced a total of 440,000 BO cumulatively. The Clement-Stover/Livingston No.1 tested 112 BO and 128 BW per day and produced a total of 110,000 BO.
In March of 1996, G&S Oil Company re-entered the Palmer Petroleum/Bridgforth No.1 and completed in the Selma Chalk from 4180 to 4230. The well flowed 380 BOPD with no water and 225 pounds of tubing pressure. Cumulative oil production is 49,496 barrels. A fault cut the Chalk in the top 150 feet of the section. The pay section shows no SP response and resistivity of 7 ohms. This well did not flow oil until it was acidized with Hydrochloric acid. After reviewing various Selma Chalk completions in the Pickens Field, it seems that the wells that cut a fault in the top 100 feet of the Chalk section performed better than the ones that did not. Acidizing (HCL) after perforating is also important for a successful completion.
We believe that there is potential remaining in the Selma Chalk at the Pickens Field. New locations should be drilled directly on the down-thrown side of the main faults allowing a fault cut in the top 100 feet of the Chalk section. In the Northwest portion of the Pickens Field, the chalk is more permeable and should have a higher-than-average recovery of oil.
These fields are not yet considered proven reserves because we do not have a current Reserve Report.
Market
Generally. The oil and gas industry is highly susceptible to extreme fluctuations in energy-related commodity prices, which in turn has a corresponding effect on the level of drilling and exploration activity and the costs associated therewith. Such volatility is also represented in the trends, however disparate, of supplies, demand, and price movements of crude oil and natural gas.
Regulation
Federal and state regulations control various aspects of drilling and operating oil and gas wells, including care of the environment, the safety of workers and the public, and the relations with the owners and occupiers of surface lands within or near the leasehold acreage. The effect of these regulations is, invariably, to increase the cost of operations. The costs of compliance with state regulations include a permit for drilling a well before beginning a project. Other compliance matters have to do with keeping the property free of oil spills and the plugging of non-productive wells.
Oil and gas exploration, drilling, and production activities are also subject to private property rights. Owners of real property also own the rights to the minerals underneath the surface, unless such mineral
rights have been retained, sold or transferred by a previous landowner. Oil and gas rights held by the United States government are managed by the Bureau of Land Management in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service pursuant to a variety of federal statutes.
Environmental impacts of oil and gas production include produced water and drilling waste. Wastes that cannot be reused or recycled must be stored or disposed of in some manner, increasing the land area affected by oil and gas extraction and raising concerns over potential leaking of drilling fluids and other wastes from storage sites. Some petroleum industry operations have been responsible for water pollution through by-products of refining and oil spills. The combustion of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases and other air pollutants as byproducts. Pollutants include nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals.
Employees
As of December 31, 2018, we had 4 part-time contractors, to pursue our business as an oil and gas exploration and development company. There exists a significant amount of competition for skilled personnel in the oil and gas services industry. Nevertheless, we expect to continue to use consultants, contract labor, attorneys, and accountants, as necessary.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Since we are a smaller reporting company, we are not required to supply the information required by this Item 1A.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our corporate offices located at 521 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 101, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.
We do not own any real property.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not Applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
(a) Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.
(1) Market Information.
The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the Pink Sheets quotation system (“Pink Sheets”) under the symbol “STSC.” The Company’s stock has been publicly traded since March 2007.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices as quoted on the Pink Sheets, of shares of the Company’s common stock during the calendar year ended December 31, 2018 - as adjusted for the 2,000:1 reverse stock split on December 5, 2018:
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices as quoted on the Pink Sheets, of shares of the Company’s Common Stock during the calendar year ended December 31, 2017 - as adjusted for the 2,000:1 reverse stock split on December 5, 2018:
(2) Holders.
As of June 30, 2021, the Company had approximately 309 holders of record of its common stock.
(3) Dividends.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock since inception and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company anticipates that any future earnings will be retained for use in developing and/or expanding the business.
(4) Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.
None
(b) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
All issuances listed below have been adjusted for the 2,000:1 reverse stock split on December 4, 2018:
On January 4, 2018, the Company issued 15,000 shares of common stock upon conversion of $1,150 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.00004 per share.
On January 4, 2018, the Company issued 31,063 shares of common stock upon conversion of $5,964 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.192 per share.
On November 30, 2017, the Company issued 15,500 shares of common stock upon conversion of $1,730 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.1116 per share.
On November 28, 2017, the Company issued 14,750 shares of common stock upon conversion of $1,610 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.0075 per share.
On November 16, 2017, the Company issued 14,000 shares of common stock upon conversion of $370 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.2353 per share.
On November 9, 2017, the Company issued 13,400 shares of common stock upon conversion of $322 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.024 per share.
On November 3, 2017, the Company issued 12,750 shares of common stock upon conversion of $270 of convertible debt, originally issued on April 29, 2015, and accrued interest. The shares were issued at a price of $0.0212 per share.
Exemption From Registration Claimed
All of the sales by the Company of its unregistered securities were made by the Company in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). All of the individuals and/or entities listed above that purchased the unregistered securities were all known to the Company and its management, through pre-existing business relationships. All purchasers were provided access to all material information, which they requested, and all information necessary to verify such information and were afforded access to management of the Company in connection with their purchases. All purchasers of the unregistered securities acquired such securities for investment and not with a view toward distribution, acknowledging such intent to the Company. All certificates or agreements representing such securities that were issued contained restrictive legends, prohibiting further transfer of the certificates or agreements representing such securities, without such securities either being first registered or otherwise exempt from registration in any further resale or disposition.
Penny Stock Rules
Due to the price of our common stock, as well as the fact that we are not listed on a national securities exchange, our stock is characterized as “penny stocks” under applicable securities regulations. Our stock will therefore be subject to rules adopted by the SEC regulating broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. The broker or dealer proposing to effect a transaction in a penny stock must furnish his customer a document containing information prescribed by the SEC and obtain from the customer an executed acknowledgment of receipt of that document. The broker or dealer must also provide the customer with pricing information regarding the security prior to the transaction and with the written confirmation of the transaction. The broker or dealer must also disclose the aggregate amount of any compensation received or receivable by him in connection with such transaction prior to consummating the transaction and with the written confirmation of the trade. The broker or dealer must also send an account statement to each customer for which he has executed a transaction in a penny stock each month in which such security is held for the customer's account. The existence of these rules may have an effect on the price of our stock, and the willingness of certain brokers to effect transactions in our stock.
Dividend Policy
We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock. Payment of future dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including the terms of any credit arrangements, our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs and plans for expansion. At the present time, we are not party to any agreement that would limit our ability to pay dividends.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
You should read the following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in this registration statement. This discussion may contain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or future strategies that are signified by the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” or similar language. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the information set forth above under Item 1 of this Part I under the caption “Risk Factors” in addition to the other information set forth in this registration statement. We caution you that the Company’s business and financial performance is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties.
Overview
Prior to April 2012, we were a reseller of technology-related hardware and software, including laptops, desktops, networking devices, telecommunication systems and networks, servers, and software. In April 2012, in connection with the acquisition of the two-separate twenty-five percent (25%) working interests in certain oil and gas leases located in Yazoo County, Mississippi in the Pickens Field, our principal business became the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas interests.
Results of Operations
Following is our discussion of the relevant items affecting results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Revenue. The Company generated net revenue of $-0- for both the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The lack of revenues is mainly the result of no oil and gas exploration as the Company continues to develop its business strategy.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales for both the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $-0-. This is a product of zero sales as a result of no oil and gas exploration.
Professional Fees. Professional fees for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, were $68,339, compared to $5,630 during the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase is mainly the result of very little business activity in 2017. The Company also incurred more accounting and legal fees in 2018 in order to prepare its financial reports for the Securities and Exchange Commission. The change of our business to an oil and gas exploration, development, and production company will result in an increase in professional fees.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, were $195 and $4,600, respectively. These costs are comprised of advertising, rent and office expense, and other administrative expenses. We expect these expenses will increase in the future as the Company expands its business.
Other Income (Expenses). For the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 we recorded other income of $51,249 and $1,906, respectively. Other income during 2018 was comprised of the gain on settlement of debt of $53,029 plus again on the change in fair value of derivative liability of $83,847 offset by interest expense of $85,627. Other income incurred in 2017 was comprised of the gain in the change in fair value of derivative liability of $78,441 offset by interest expense of $76,535 and amortization of the debt discount of $1,183.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Personnel
We have four project-based contract personnel that we utilize to carry out our business. We utilize contract personnel on a continuous basis, primarily in connection with our reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We expect to hire more full-time employees in the future. Although competition for personnel in the oil and gas industry is intense, we do not believe we will have significant difficulty retaining additional employees or contract personnel in the future.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, the Company has financed its operations through a series of loans, credit accounts with hardware vendors, and the use of Company credit to procure goods and services. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we received $58,720 in notes payable, all of which was utilized to cover operating costs. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we received $22,887 in notes payable, all of which was utilized to cover operating activities. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, we had $-0- and $-0- respectively in cash and cash equivalents. We expect to secure additional debt or equity capital to finance substantial business development initiatives or acquire additional oil and gas interests.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide this information.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CONTENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Start Scientific, Inc.
24 Quaker Lane
Warwick, RI 02886
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Start Scientific, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern Considerations
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has suffered recurring losses since inception and has not achieved profitable operations, which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Pinnacle Accountancy Group of Utah
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
Pinnacle Accountancy Group of Utah
(a dba of Heaton & Company, PLLC)
Farmington, Utah
June 28, 2021
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
Start Scientific, Inc. (the Company) was formed in the state of Utah on February 4, 2004, with authorized common stock of 10,000,000 shares. The Company was subsequently reincorporated in the State of Delaware on February 14, 2006 with authorized common stock of 5,000,000,000 shares and authorized preferred stock of 100 shares. Both classes of stock have a par value of $0.00001 per share.
On December 5, 2018, the Company effected a 1 share for 2,000 shares reverse stock split, which reduced the issued and outstanding shares of common stock from 745,024,353 shares to 373,174 shares. The accompanying financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split, and all disclosure references to common stock are post-split unless otherwise indicated.
Our future business is expected to be based on the exploration, development, drilling, and production of various oil and gas properties. In particular, we intend to look for oil and gas opportunities in international markets. Whether in respect to the development of oil and gas interests in North America or overseas, we expect to align with industry partners in respect of the drilling and operation of these wells. Our long-term focus is to grow and develop existing oil and gas leasehold interests and acquire new interests within and without the continental United States. In addition, we intend to acquire interests in older wells that, with the application of newer technologies, may increase production and reserves.
NOTE 2. GOING CONCERN
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has an accumulated deficit of $16,859,674 and had a net loss of $17,285 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to obtain the necessary financing to meet its obligations and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations when they become due, and to generate profitable operations in the future. Management plans to continue to provide for its capital requirements by seeking long term financing which may be in the form of additional equity securities and debt. The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted at this time and there are no assurances that if achieved, the Company will have sufficient funds to execute its business plan or generate positive operating results.
NOTE 3. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) and are expressed in U.S. dollars. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company’s fiscal year end is December 31.
b) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to the deferred income tax asset valuation allowances. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances,
the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected. Significant estimates included are assumptions about collection of accounts receivable, useful life of fixed and intangible assets, impairment analysis of goodwill and intangible assets, estimates used in the fair value calculation of stock-based compensation, beneficial conversion feature and derivative liability on convertible notes and warrants using Black-Scholes Model.
c) Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash includes demand deposits, saving accounts and money market accounts. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
d) Financial Instruments
Pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, an entity is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. ASC 820 prioritizes the inputs into three levels that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of accounts payable, accrued liabilities, notes payable and convertible notes payable and amounts due to related parties. We believe that the recorded values of all of our other financial instruments approximate their current fair values because of their nature and respective maturity dates or durations.
e) Basic and Diluted Net Loss per Share
The Company computes net loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings per Share. ASC 260 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net loss available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method and convertible preferred stock using the if-converted method. In computing diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential shares if their effect is anti-dilutive.
f) Income Taxes
Potential benefits of income tax losses are not recognized in the accounts until realization is more likely than not. The Company has adopted ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes” as of its inception. Pursuant to ASC 740, the Company is required to compute tax asset benefits for net operating losses carried forward. The potential benefits of net operating losses have not been recognized in this financial statement because the Company cannot be assured it is more likely than not it will utilize the net operating losses carried forward in future years.
g) Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC-605, “Revenue Recognition,” which requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred, or title has passed; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management's judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered and the collectability of those amounts.
Revenues are recognized upon shipment, provided that a signed purchase order has been received, the price is fixed, title has transferred, collection of resulting receivables is reasonably assured, and there are no remaining significant obligations. Reserves for sales returns and allowances, including allowances for so called “ship and debit” transactions, are recorded at the time of shipment, based on historical levels of returns and discounts, current economic trends and changes in customer demand. Certain internet generated transactions that are prepaid at time of order, are recognized at the time the merchandise ships from the warehouse to the customer.
Provisions for discounts and rebates to customers, estimated returns and allowances, and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. The Company will defer any revenue for which the product has not been delivered or is subject to refund until such time that the Company and the customer jointly determine that the product has been delivered or no refund will be required.
h) Allowance for doubtful accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts and the aging of the accounts receivable. The Company regularly reviews the adequacy of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts through identification of specific receivables where it is expected that payments will not be received. The Company also establishes an unallocated reserve that is applied to all amounts that are not specifically identified. In determining specific receivables where collections may not have been received, the Company reviews past due receivables and gives consideration to prior collection history and changes in the customer’s overall business condition. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate as of the reporting dates.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts as it had no accounts receivable in those periods.
i) Related Party Transactions
Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. All transactions are recorded at fair value of the goods or services exchanged.
j) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which provides further guidance on identifying performance obligations and improves the operability and understandability of licensing implementation guidance.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) that clarifies how to apply revenue recognition guidance related to whether an entity is a principal or an agent. ASU 2016-08 clarifies that the analysis must focus on whether the entity has control of the goods or services before they are transferred to the customer and provides additional guidance about how to apply the control principle when services are provided and when goods or services are combined with other goods or services.
The effective date for ASU 2016-10 is the same as the effective date of ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2014-09 as amended by ASU 2015-14, for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company will adopt the requirements of Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method. Upon adoption, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Using the modified retrospective method of adoption, the comparative information for periods prior to 2018 will not be restated and instead will continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.
The Company anticipates that the adoption of the new standard will not result in a material difference between the recognition of revenue under Topic 606 and prior accounting standards. In addition, to meet the disaggregation disclosure requirements under Topic 606, the Company anticipates its disclosure of revenue disaggregation will be by major product group, geographic area and major sales channels.
Business Combinations. In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that clarifies the definition of a business to help companies evaluate whether acquisition or disposal transactions should be accounted for as asset groups or as businesses. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Start Scientific in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The impact of the adoption depends on the facts and circumstances of future acquisition or disposal transactions.
Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers. In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires entities to recognize at the transaction date the income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Start Scientific in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. Start Scientific is implementing this new guidance on Start Scientific’s consolidated financial statements effective in the first quarter of 2019.
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. In August 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which addresses classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments related to the statement of cash flows. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Start Scientific in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on Start Scientific’s consolidated financial statements.
Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for lease accounting, which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for certain lease arrangements that are classified as operating leases under the previous standard, and to provide for enhanced disclosures. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Start Scientific in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and should see Start Scientific using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. Start Scientific is currently evaluating the effect of this new guidance on Start Scientific’s consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement. In January 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation, and are not accounted for under the equity method, to be measured at fair value, and requires recognition of any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for a new practicability exception. For financial liabilities measured at fair value, the change in fair value caused by a change in instrument-specific credit risk will be required to be presented separately in other comprehensive
income. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Start Scientific, in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted only for the provisions related to the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities caused by instrument-specific credit risk. Start Scientific is currently evaluating the effect of this new guidance on Start Scientific’s consolidated financial statements.
k) Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and consist of finished goods produced in accordance with Company specifications, work-in-process as such may exist from time to time at various supplier locations that may work with Company supplied goods and materials, and raw materials that are purchased in connection with upcoming seasonal production of goods.
l) Derivative Liabilities
The Company assessed the classification of its derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2018, which consist of convertible instruments and rights to shares of the Company’s common stock and determined that such derivatives meet the criteria for liability classification under ASC 815.
ASC 815 generally provides three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free-standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument subject to the requirements of ASC 815. ASC 815 also provides an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional, as described.
m) Convertible Instruments
The Company evaluates and accounts for conversion options embedded in its convertible instruments in accordance with professional standards for “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”.
Professional standards generally provide three criteria that, if met, require companies to bifurcate conversion options from their host instruments and account for them as free standing derivative financial instruments. These three criteria include circumstances in which (a) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative instrument are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract, (b) the hybrid instrument that embodies both the embedded derivative instrument and the host contract is not re-measured at fair value under otherwise applicable generally accepted accounting principles with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur and (c) a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative instrument would be considered a derivative instrument. Professional standards also provide an exception to this rule when the host instrument is deemed to be conventional as defined under professional standards as “The Meaning of “Conventional Convertible Debt Instrument”.
The Company accounts for convertible instruments (when it has determined that the embedded conversion options should not be bifurcated from their host instruments) in accordance with professional standards when “Accounting for Convertible Securities with Beneficial Conversion Features,” as those professional standards pertain to “Certain Convertible Instruments.” Accordingly, the Company records, when necessary, discounts to convertible notes for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in debt instruments based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note. Debt discounts under these arrangements are amortized over the term of the related debt to their earliest date of redemption. The Company also records when necessary deemed dividends for the intrinsic value of conversion options embedded in preferred shares based upon the differences between the fair value of the underlying common stock at the commitment date of the note transaction and the effective conversion price embedded in the note.
ASC 815-40 provides that, among other things, generally, if an event is not within the entity’s control or could require net cash settlement, then the contract shall be classified as an asset or a liability.
n) Long Lived Assets
The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360-10”). ASC 360-10 requires those long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles held and used by the Company be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets based upon forecasted undiscounted cash flows. Should impairment in value be indicated, the carrying value of intangible assets will be adjusted, based on estimates of future discounted cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. ASC 360-10 also requires assets to be disposed of be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell.
o) Advertising
Advertising is expensed as incurred and is included in selling costs on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Advertising and marketing expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $-0- and $-0-, respectively.
p) Income Taxes
The Company follows FASB ASC 740-10, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements. This standard requires a company to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained will be sustained upon examination based upon the technical merits of the position. If the more-likely-than- not threshold is met, a company must measure the tax position to determine the amount to recognize in the financial statements. As a result of the implementation of this standard, the Company performed a review of its material tax positions in accordance with recognition and measurement standards established by FASB ASC 740-10.
Deferred taxes are provided on a liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
At December 31, 2018, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1,706,300 which may be offset against future taxable income through 2038. No tax benefit has been reported in the financial statements because the potential tax benefits of the net operating loss carryforwards are offset by a valuation allowance of the same amount.
Due to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carry forwards for Federal income tax reporting purposes are subject to annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, net operating loss carryforwards may be limited as to future use. In December 2017, Congress enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which changed the corporate income tax rate to a flat 21% for the tax year beginning in 2018.
Components of deferred tax assets were approximately as follows:
Reconciliation between the statutory United States corporate income tax rate (21% for 2018 and 34% for 2017) and the effective income tax rates based on continuing operations is as follows:
At December 31, 2018, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
The Company did not have any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months.
The Company includes interest and penalties arising from the underpayment of income taxes in the statements of operations in the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
q) Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risks consist of cash and cash equivalents. The Company places cash and cash equivalents at well-known quality financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents at banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for up to $250,000. The Company did not have any cash or cash equivalents in excess of this amount at December 31, 2018 and 2017.
r) Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to non-employees and consultants in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.” Measurement of share-based payment transactions with non-employees is based on the fair value of whichever is more reliably measurable: (a) the goods or services received; or (b) the equity instruments issued. The fair value of the share-based payment transaction is determined on the earlier of performance commitment date or performance completion date.
Share-based expense totaled $-0- for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
s) Options and Warrants
The Company has adopted FASB ASC 718, “Share-Based Payments” (“ASC 718”) to account for its stock options. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock award at the grant date by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and our experience. Compensation expense is recognized only for those options expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated at the date of grant based on our historical experience and future expectations.
NOTE 4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company issued certain promissory notes to related individuals and/or their companies as disclosed in Note 8. The individuals consist of an officer of the Company and a director of the Company. The Company received advances of $3,874 and $3,737, respectively; and made payments on these advances of $82,154 and $-0-, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related parties consisted of the following as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
In December 2018, several related parties proposed that various debts owed to them by the Company be contributed to the Company. These included accounts payable, accrued interest, and certain loans and advances totaling $1,056,995 made by them in previous years. The Company accepted their offer and recorded a Settlement of Related Party Debt - the offset was to Additional Paid in Capital.
NOTE 5. CONVERTIBLE NOTES PAYABLE
Convertible notes payable consisted of the following:
(A) On February 25, 2015, the Company issued a promissory note in the original principal amount of $52,500 to a lender. The Note matured on February 25, 2016 and carried an interest rate of 8% per annum. As the loan is in default, it carries and interest rate of 24% per annum. The Note was at the maturity date, due and payable in full unless converted partially or in its entirety upon the election of the lender into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at a 60% discount to the lowest trading price as reported on the OTCQB for the fifteen trading days previous to the conversion date. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company owed balances of $23,630 and $23,630, with unamortized debt discounts of $-0- and $1,183, respectively. The derivative liability associated with this convertible note payable is discussed in Note 6.
(B) On April 29, 2015, the Company issued a promissory note in the original principal amount of $53,500 to a lender. The Note matured on April 29, 2016 and carries an interest rate of 10% per annum. The Note was at the maturity date, due and payable in full unless converted partially or in its entirety upon the election of the lender into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at a 55% discount to the lowest trading price as reported on the OTCQB for the fifteen trading days previous to the conversion date. As of December 31, 2018,
and 2017, the Company owed a balance of $43,185. The derivative liability associated with this convertible note payable is discussed in Note 6.
(C) On January 12, 2016, the Company issued a promissory note in the original principal amount of $25,000 to a lender. The Note is due on demand and carries an interest rate of 10% per annum. The Note shall be due and payable in full unless converted partially or in its entirety upon the election of the lender into fully paid and non-assessable shares of common stock of the Company at a conversion price equal to $0.00005. During the year ended December 31, 2018, $1,500 of the principal balance of the note was converted into 30,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company owed balances of $20,900 and $22,400, respectively.
The Company recognized amortization expense related to the debt discount of $-0- and $1,183 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, resulting in $0 unamortized debt discount at December 31, 2018 and 2017.
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, interest expense on convertible notes was $8,690 and $8,826, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the accrued interest payable was $31,002 and $25,294, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses.
NOTE 6. DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
The Company analyzed the convertible notes for derivative accounting consideration under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and determined that the conversion options associated with two of its convertible notes from Note 4 above should be classified as a derivative liability since the conversion options became effective at issuance resulting in there being no explicit limit to the number of shares to be delivered upon settlement.
The Company determined its derivative liability to be a Level 3 fair value measurement and used the Black-Scholes pricing model to calculate the fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. The Black-Scholes model requires six basic data inputs: the exercise or strike price, time to expiration, the risk-free interest rate, the current stock price, the estimated volatility of the stock price in the future, and the dividend rate. Changes to these inputs could produce a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The fair value of each conversion option is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Assumptions used for the calculation of the derivative liability of the notes at December 31, 2018 include, (3) term between 28 days and 1040 days, (4) expected volatility between 177.91% and 368.72% and (5) risk free interest rate of between 0.15% and 27%.
The derivative liability at December 31, 2018 consisted of the following:
The derivative liability at December 31, 2017 consisted of the following:
The above convertible notes contain variable conversion features based on the future trading price of the Company common stock. Therefore, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes is indeterminate. Due to the variable conversion terms of convertible notes (A) and (B) described in Note 4 above, it was determined at December 31, 2018 and 2017 that there was a derivative liability associated with these notes. The fair value of the derivative liability at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $117,796 and $201,643, respectively, which are reported on the balance sheet. The Company recorded a gain on the change in the fair value of the derivative liability of $83,847 and $78,441 on the statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
NOTE 7. NOTES PAYABLE
Accrued interest at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $340,080 and $274,794, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses on the balance sheet.
NOTE 8. NOTES PAYABLE - RELATED PARTIES
Accrued interest at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $21,497 and $102,707, respectively which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related parties.
NOTE 9. EQUITY TRANSACTIONS
On January 8, 2016, the Company amended and restated its Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to be issued to 5,000,000,000. The par value of both the Preferred Stock and common stock was also changed from $0.0001 to $0.00001.
On December 5, 2018, the Company effected a 1 share for 2,000 shares reverse stock split which reduced the issued and outstanding shares of common stock from 745,024,353 shares to 372,514 shares. The accompanying financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company issued 46,063 shares (as adjusted for the December 5, 2018 reverse stock split) of its common stock for the conversion of accrued interest in the amount of $2,982 and conversion of convertible notes of $1,500.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company issued 70,400 shares (as adjusted for the December 5, 2018 reverse stock split) of its common stock for the conversion of various debt instruments in the amount of $48,107.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company negotiated with related parties for the settlement of accounts payable and other liabilities of the Company. The amount settled of $1,056,995 was recorded as additional paid in capital. No consideration was exchanged for this settlement.
NOTE 10. SETTLEMENT OF DEBT
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company negotiated with non-related party creditors for the settlement of accounts payable and other liabilities of the Company. This resulted in a gain on the settlement of debt in the amount of $53,029 as shown on the statement of operations.
NOTE 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company has evaluated subsequent for the period of December 31, 2018 through the date the financial statements were issued and identified the following significant events for disclosure.
In July 2020, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with an investor who had brought a claim against the Company for an alleged breach of contract, and fraudulent inducement to contract. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company issued 2,714,016 common shares, and 100 Series A preferred shares.
In July 2020, Erwin Vahlsing, Jr. was appointed as Chief Financial Officer for the Company.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management’s Report on Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of December 31, 2018, the end of our fiscal year covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, we concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were ineffective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. As of December 31, 2018, the Company lacks proper oversight, as it only has 2 members of the board of directors and does not have a formal audit committee. In addition, the Company does not have adequate personnel to ensure sufficient segregation of duties.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Responsibility, estimates, and judgments by management are required to assess the expected benefits and related costs of control procedures. The objectives of internal control include providing management with reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition, and that transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization and recorded properly to permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles. Our management reviewed the results of their assessment with our board of directors.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit our company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
Inherent limitations on effectiveness of controls
Internal control over financial reporting has inherent limitations which include but is not limited to the use of independent professionals for advice and guidance, interpretation of existing and/or changing rules and principles, segregation of management duties, scale of organization, and personnel factors. Internal control over financial reporting is a process which involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis, however these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process and
it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2018 that have materially or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors and Executive Officers
(1) Appointed September 8, 2015.
(2) On August 16, 2013, Mr. Greaves resigned as Chief Executive Officer, but as of December 31, 2016, is still a director of the Company.
Jim Frazier, 53, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Frazier is an Oil and Gas executive with over 30 years of experience with three public exploration and production companies. Mr. Frazier has experience working on projects in Oklahoma, Mississippi, New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, Texas, Canada, Venezuela, and Columbia. Mr. Frazier has worked managed all levels and supervised all disciplines of the industry including geological, engineering, project planning and budget, reserve, regulatory, tax, audit and legal. Mr. Frazier has successfully presented various projects to shareholders, board of directors, investors, and marketing outlets. Mr. Frazier has a proven track record in building results-oriented organizations and teams, optimizing operations for increasing revenues and controlling costs. Mr. Frazier is currently an independent energy consultant based out of Oklahoma City, OK, since March 2014 to the present. Additionally, Mr. Frazier was CFO of the Asset Servicing Group, an Insurance and Real Estate investment holding company from February 2010 to March 2014, and CFO of a TSX listed Canadian offshore oil and gas exploration company from October 2008 to February 2010. Mr. Frazier was President and CEO of Orbit Petroleum, an OTC:BB domestic oil and gas producer from 2004 to 2009. Mr. Frazier also served as Chief Financial Officer for a NASDAQ International Oil and Gas company, from1997 to 2002. Mr. Frazier was a Vice President with Chase Manhattan bank from the early 1980's to early 90's working primarily in securities and later commercial lending and credit. Mr. Frazier has been an Executive Director and manager for Red Rock Capital, an Oklahoma based commercial lending correspondent since 1996. Mr. Frazier earned his Economics degree from Fordham University and advanced certifications in Investment & Finance from the New York Institute of Finance.
S. Arne D. Greaves. Mr. Greaves, age 53, is the Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and currently serves as Board member. Since 1983, he has been
working in the oil and gas industry. In May 2001, Mr. Greaves co-founded Carpathian Energy Companie Petroliera S.R.L., a Romanian oil and gas production company, and has actively been involved the acquisition of concessions and development plans for reentries and development of new wells. Since November 2007, he has been the President of Livingston Operating Company, LLC, a family-owned oil and gas production company, based in Jackson, Mississippi.
Compensation of Directors
Board of Directors Meetings and Committees
Although various items were reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors during 2018, the Board of Directors held no formal meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The remaining actions of the Board were approved by unanimous written consent.
The Company does not have Audit or Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors.
Code of Ethics
The Company expects that its Officers and Directors will maintain appropriate standards of honesty and ethical conduct in connection with the performance of their duties on behalf of the Company. In recognition of this expectation, the Company has adopted a Code of Ethics. The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to codify standards the Company believes are reasonably necessary to deter wrongdoing and to promote honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships and full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or other regulatory bodies and in other public communications made by the Company.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
We are required to identify each person who was an officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our registered equity securities during our most recent fiscal year and who failed to file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the 2018 fiscal year we are unaware of any officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our registered equity securities who failed to file reports on a timely basis in accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table summarizes the total compensation, for the two fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, of our executive officers. Our company did not award cash bonuses, stock options or non-equity incentive plan compensation to any Named Executive Officer during the past two fiscal years, thus these items are omitted from the table below:
Summary Compensation Table
Name and
Principal Position
Year
Salary
Stock
Awards
All
Other
Compensation
Total
Jim Frazier
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Chief Executive
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Officer (1)
S. Arne D. Greaves
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
Director (2)
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ -
(1) Appointed September 8, 2015.
(2) Appointed May 3, 2012.
Employment Agreements
Currently Jim Frazier serves at the discretion of the Board of Directors, however, the Board of Directors intend to formalize Mr. Frazier’ relationship with the Company through an employment agreement.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock (par value $0.0001 per share) as of December 31, 2017 by (i) each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (ii) each person serving as a director or executive officer of the Company, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. As of such date, we had 374,174 shares of common stock outstanding (adjusted for 2,000:1 reverse stock split).
* Indicates ownership of less than 1%.
(1)The address of each officer, director, and beneficial owner is c/o the Company, 521 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 101, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.
(2)The number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by any shareholder is determined by the sum of (i) all shares of common stock held directly or indirectly by such shareholder, and (ii) shares of common stock subject to options, warrants and/or conversion rights deemed beneficially owned by the shareholder that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. Excludes shares of Series A Preferred Stock beneficially held by Standard Energy Holdings, LLC that are not convertible into common
stock but collectively hold 1,000,000,000 voting rights and are entitled to vote together with holders of common stock on all such matters upon which common stockholders may vote.
(3)The calculation of percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon: (i) 652,899,353 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2017, and (ii) shares of common stock subject to options, warrants and/or conversion rights deemed beneficially held by the shareholder that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. The percentage ownership of any shareholder is determined by assuming that the shareholder has exercised all options, warrants, and conversion rights to obtain additional securities, and that no other shareholder has exercised such rights. Except as otherwise indicated below, the persons and entity named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock and voting rights shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.
(4)Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
(5)Former Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors.
(6)Former Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Includes 93,486,200 shares of common stock held by Standard Energy Holdings LLC. Mr. Harris is the beneficial owner of Standard Energy Holdings LLC. Excludes 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by Mr. Harris. The Series A Preferred Stock carries no dividend, distribution, or liquidation, or common stock conversion rights, but holds 10,000,000 votes per share, enabling Mr. Harris to unilaterally control the election of the Board of Directors. If the Series A Preferred Stock is taken into account in determining percentage of beneficial ownership, Mr. Harris would beneficially hold 72.32% of the voting shares of the Company.
Changes in Control
On August 13, 2015, Kenneth I. Denos, the Company’s controlling shareholder assigned all 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Control Stock”) of Start Scientific, Inc. (the “Company”) to the Company’s then-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Norris R. Harris. The Control Stock is not convertible into common stock but collectively hold 1,000,000,000 voting rights and are entitled to vote together with holders of common stock on all such matters upon which common stockholders may vote. As a result, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Mr. Harris holds a controlling beneficial interest in the Company and may unilaterally determine the election of the Board and other substantive matters requiring approval of the Company’s stockholders. As of December 31, 2018, Mr. Harris is no longer associated with the Company.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
On August 13, 2015, Kenneth I. Denos, the Company’s controlling shareholder assigned all 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Control Stock”) of Start Scientific, Inc. (the “Company”) to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Norris R. Harris. The Control Stock is not convertible into common stock but collectively hold 1,000,000,000 voting rights and are entitled to vote together with holders of common stock on all such matters upon which common stockholders may vote. As a result, as of December 31, 2017, Mr. Harris holds a controlling beneficial interest in the Company and may unilaterally determine the election of the Board and other substantive matters requiring approval of the Company’s stockholders.
The Company issued certain promissory notes to related individuals and/or their companies as disclosed in Note 3 and 7. The individuals consist of an officer of the Company and a director of the Company. The Company received advances of $3,874 and $3,737, respectively; and made payments on these advances of $-0- and $-0-, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $32,593 and $771,618, respectively.
Notes payable to related parties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $204,380 and $90,393, respectively. Accrued interest on these notes payable to related parties at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $106,985 and $102,707, respectively which is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities - related parties.
Director Independence
As of December 31, 2018, Arne D. Greaves is the only Director considered to be independent, inasmuch as he does not beneficially hold greater than a 10% ownership interest in our common stock and is unrelated to any of our shareholders who hold any such interest. We have not established any board committees. We hope in the future to add at least one more independent director and establish one or more board committees including, in particular, an audit committee.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table represents the aggregate fees billed for professional audit services rendered to the Company by Pinnacle Accountancy Group of Utah (“Pinnacle”), independent registered auditing firm, for the audits of the Company’s annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, performed by Pinnacle subsequent to our engagement of Pinnacle in February 2018, and all fees billed for other services rendered by Pinnacle for those periods.
(1) Audit Fees. These are fees for professional services for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, and for the review of the financial statements included in the Company’s filings on Form 10-Q, and for services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2) Audit-Related Fees. These are fees for the assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or the review of the Company’s financial statements.
(3) Tax Fees. These are fees for professional services with respect to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
(4) All Other Fees. These are fees for permissible work that does not fall within any of the other fee categories, i.e., Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, or Tax Fees.
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by referenced in this report:
Item No.
Description
14.1
Code of Ethics for the Registrant.
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
31.1*
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Jim Frazier.
32.1*
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for S. Jim Frazier.
* filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Erwin Vahlsing, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
July 8, 2021