October 1, 2022 – Underground Laboratory, UNAM
The Faculty of Engineering's underground laboratory was almost completely silent, broken only by the constant hum of the servers and Rodrigo's soft typing. Holographic screens projected the latest metrics from LUMEN Analytics: more than 15,000 active users, collaborations with renowned academic institutions, and growing interest from the private sector. Despite these achievements, Rodrigo knew the real challenge was just beginning.
As he reviewed the data, a notification appeared on the main screen, accompanied by the calm voice of Eidolon, the artificial intelligence that served as the core of the Ark.
"Rodrigo, a meeting request has been received from Microsoft. They would like to discuss a possible strategic collaboration."
Rodrigo felt a mixture of pride and apprehension. He knew his software would attract the attention of big tech companies, but he hadn't expected the approach to be so immediate.
—Eidolon, respond by accepting the meeting. Schedule a video call for tomorrow at 10 a.m.
"Confirmed. Meeting scheduled."
He turned off the screens and leaned back in the ergonomic chair, closing his eyes for a moment. A feeling of vertigo overwhelmed him; he was on the edge of a precipice, and every decision he made from that moment on would define the future of LUMEN and his own.
October 2, 2022 – Video Call with Microsoft
At the agreed time, Rodrigo found himself in a minimalist conference room within the LUMEN Solutions facilities in Coyoacán. In front of him, a high-definition screen showed the face of Laura Gómez, Director of Innovation at Microsoft. Her expression was cordial, but her eyes reflected the determination of someone accustomed to closing high-level deals.
—Mr. Martínez, it's a pleasure to meet you. We've closely followed LUMEN's development and are truly impressed. We believe there are synergies between our companies and would like to explore a closer collaboration.
Rodrigo maintained a relaxed posture, although his mind was racing, analyzing every word.
"I appreciate your interest, Ms. Gómez. Could you specify what type of collaboration you have in mind?"
Laura nodded, as if she had expected this question.
"We are considering a significant investment in LUMEN Solutions, granting it access to our resources, networks, and platforms. In addition, we are considering integrating LUMEN into our product suite, which would accelerate its growth and reach in the global market."
Rodrigo sensed the subtlety behind the offer. While it sounded attractive, it also implied a potential loss of autonomy for his company.
"It's a generous proposal, but LUMEN is still in its early stages. My intention is to consolidate our vision and maintain our independence at this stage."
Laura didn't show surprise, but her tone took on a more persuasive tone.
"We understand your position, Mr. Martínez. However, I urge you to reconsider. The opportunities we offer could catapult LUMEN to levels that would otherwise take years to achieve."
Rodrigo smiled slightly, maintaining his composure.
"I appreciate your offer and will keep it in mind. For now, I prefer that we continue on our separate paths, but be open to possible collaborations in the future."
Laura nodded, accepting the answer with professionalism.
"Very well. We remain at your disposal for any future conversations. I wish you success in your endeavors, Mr. Martínez."
After ending the call, Rodrigo exhaled deeply. He had turned down a tech giant, a bold decision that could have repercussions. However, he felt it was the right thing to do to preserve LUMEN's essence and direction.
October 3, 2022 – LUMEN Solutions Office, Coyoacán
Aware that the interest from companies like Microsoft was just the beginning, Rodrigo decided it was time to strengthen his company's foundation. Until now, he had carried the weight of LUMEN almost single-handedly, but to face the challenges ahead, he needed to surround himself with a competent and loyal team.
Hiring Process:
Role Definition: He identified the critical areas that required reinforcement: software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, human resources, accounting, marketing and sales, and operations.
Talent Search: He used his professional network, university contacts, and specialized platforms like LinkedIn, AngelList, and Talentprise to find candidates with the necessary technical skills and a vision aligned with LUMEN's mission.
Structured Interviews: He implemented an interview process that assessed technical competencies as well as adaptability, work ethic, and the ability to work in a dynamic environment.
Cultural Fit Assessment: He sought individuals who were not only experts in their fields but also fit the culture of innovation and collaboration he wished to foster at LUMEN.
After a meticulous selection process, Rodrigo brought on board:
Valeria, a distinguished cybersecurity specialist with experience in critical infrastructure protection and sophisticated attack prevention.
Diego, a talented software developer focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a track record of innovative projects.
Elena, a data analyst skilled in transforming complex information into actionable strategies, with a keen ability to detect patterns and trends.
Mariana, a human resources professional with experience in talent management at technology startups, responsible for recruitment, training, and staff well-being.
Carlos, a certified public accountant with extensive knowledge of corporate finance and tax compliance, responsible for the company's financial and accounting management.
Sofia, a digital marketing and sales strategy specialist, focused on positioning the LUMEN brand and expanding its market reach.
Each of them contributed an essential piece to the LUMEN Solutions puzzle. Rodrigo felt renewed confidence as he saw his vision begin to materialize with the help of this team.
October 10, 2022 – Underground Lab
As the equipment assembled and began to take shape, Eidolon issued a silent alert, projecting a series of red lines across the main server's structure on the console.
"Unauthorized access attempt detected. Source: Servers in Silicon Valley associated with Google Cloud. Threat level: Moderate-high."
Rodrigo, sitting at the console, frowned and immediately called Valeria.
"We have an unwanted visitor," he said without taking his eyes off the screen.
Valeria, who had already taken control of the cybersecurity module, slid her fingers across the touchpad and began countering the attack.
"This isn't a casual scan, this is a covert probe. They're testing our defenses… probably a reverse engineering team," she murmured. "They're using a pattern similar to Google DeepMind's internal tests."
Rodrigo nodded.
"Hide the IP address, feed back the mirror code, and make it look like they have only cursory access. If they think they've seen everything, they'll lose interest for a while."
Valeria smiled professionally as she worked.
"Done. We'll give them a nice puzzle with no answer."
In less than twenty minutes, the attack had been contained. But Rodrigo knew this hadn't been a simple technical attempt. It was a warning: the game had begun.
October 12 – Internal Meeting at LUMEN Solutions
With all the new team members gathered in the main conference room—a newly refurbished room with acoustic panels, smart boards, and a view of the interior garden—Rodrigo began the company's first strategic meeting.
In front of a transparent projector, he displayed a planning map with ten clearly marked sections:
Company vision and mission
Market analysis
Competitor analysis
Sales and marketing strategy
Organizational structure
Initial financial plan and projections
Legal and tax obligations
Internal processes and communication
Supporting technological tools
Adaptability and continuous improvement
Rodrigo spoke with a calmness that contrasted with the digital storm he had experienced.
"We are going to make LUMEN more than just a software company. We are going to make it a standard for ethical predictive analytics. But we need order, vision... and a team."
Sofía took notes on her tablet while Mariana raised her hand to speak.
"I propose we start by documenting the organizational culture. Not just values, but ways of acting, of communicating. Startups that do this from the start have higher success rates," he said.
Carlos, from his position, added:
"I need full access to the accounts and transactions. And I suggest we centralize the initial expenses, including licenses, payments to the SAT (Tax Administration Service), and trademark registration with the IMPI (Mexican Institute of Public Works). It's already in process, but I need your signature, Rodrigo."
Elena suggested starting with a detailed profile study of current and potential users. She wanted to divide them by age, location, type of use, education level, and more.
Valeria, for her part, insisted that each new module developed for LUMEN have a secure code review phase, isolated from the main system.
The meeting lasted more than two hours, but by the end, Rodrigo felt he finally had not just a team, but a living company, with a brain, a heart, and a backbone.
October 15 – Official Public Announcement
Sofía launched the first formal presentation campaign for LUMEN Solutions. A 60-second video showcased the power of predictive analytics applied to real-life situations: resource savings, crisis prediction, city planning, and improved student performance.
The video was posted on LUMEN's official YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts. In just 72 hours, it surpassed 50,000 views and was shared by several academic and technology figures in the country.
That same day, a private call arrived in the corporate email. This time, it wasn't Microsoft. It was Tesla.
Rodrigo didn't answer yet.
He had a company to protect. A legacy to build.