NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46: Laying the Foundation
The next day, Matthew prepared for his meeting with Martinez & Cruz Legal Solutions. He dressed in a business casual outfit—a crisp white shirt and dark slacks—to make a good impression. The meeting was scheduled at their downtown office, a sleek high-rise that housed several other corporate law firms.
"Ready for this?" Saimon asked as they waited by the elevator.
Matthew adjusted his collar and nodded. "Yeah. Just hoping they're as good as their reputation."
"You'll be fine. You've closed a deal with Facebook, man. These guys are just here to handle paperwork."
The elevator dinged, and they stepped out onto the 14th floor. The receptionist greeted them warmly and directed them to a conference room where a tall, middle-aged man with a confident demeanor was waiting.
"Mr. Borja," the man said, extending a hand. "I'm Daniel Martinez. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure's mine, Mr. Martinez," Matthew replied, shaking his hand.
"Please, call me Daniel," the lawyer said with a smile. "Take a seat. Let's talk about what you need."
As they settled into their seats, Daniel opened a folder filled with printed documents. "I've reviewed the preliminary information you sent us. Congratulations on the Facebook deal—that's a significant milestone for a startup."
"Thank you," Matthew said. "But I know there's a lot more to do. We need to register the business, protect our IP, and ensure compliance with legal requirements. That's why I'm here."
Daniel nodded. "You're right to prioritize this early. Since you're in the tech industry, there are a few key steps we need to take. First, we'll register 'Sentinel Systems' as your official company name. I'll conduct a final trademark check to ensure there are no conflicts. Once that's done, we can proceed with business registration, including tax identification and operating permits."
"How long will that take?" Matthew asked.
"Typically, two to three weeks, but we can expedite certain filings," Daniel explained. "We'll also draft your company's bylaws and articles of incorporation. Since you have co-founders, we'll outline ownership shares and roles to prevent any future disputes."
Matthew glanced at Saimon, who nodded approvingly. "That makes sense," Matthew said. "I also want to ensure our intellectual property is protected. The software is our biggest asset."
"Of course. We'll file for copyright protection on the software's source code and apply for a utility patent if necessary. This will cover your proprietary algorithms and system architecture," Daniel replied. "Additionally, I recommend drafting non-disclosure and non-compete agreements for any employees or contractors you bring on board."
Matthew exhaled, relieved that everything was falling into place. "Alright, let's move forward with that plan."
Daniel smiled. "Great. I'll have our team prepare the paperwork. You'll receive an email later today with a list of documents we'll need from you. We'll handle the rest."
The meeting wrapped up smoothly, and Matthew felt a sense of accomplishment as they left the office. "One down," he said.
"Two more to go," Saimon added with a grin.
"I'll contact Leo. See if he is already in the location," Matthew said.
"Sure thing, go for it," Saimon replied.
***
Later that afternoon, Matthew met with Leo at BPI Business Plus. They were greeted by a relationship manager named Andrea, a young professional with a friendly but business-like demeanor.
"Welcome, gentlemen," Andrea said, shaking their hands. "I understand you're looking to open a corporate account for your new business, Sentinel Systems?"
"That's correct," Leo replied. "We need an account that can handle large transactions and international transfers efficiently."
Andrea led them to her office, where she pulled up details on their business account options. "Our Business Plus account offers several features designed for tech startups. You'll have access to multi-currency support, low fees on international transfers, and integration with accounting software like QuickBooks. We also offer business credit lines, which can help with cash flow during your growth phase."
Matthew leaned forward. "What's the process for opening the account?"
"It's straightforward," Andrea explained. "Since you're a new business, we'll need your company registration documents, articles of incorporation, and identification for all account signatories. Once you provide those, we can have your account set up within a few days."
Leo nudged Matthew. "Good thing we're already handling the registration with Martinez & Cruz."
Matthew chuckled. "Yeah, the timing works out. What's the minimum balance requirement?"
"For startups, we offer flexibility. There's a minimum balance of ₱100,000, but with the capital from your Facebook deal, that shouldn't be an issue," Andrea said.
"Sounds good," Matthew replied. "We'll send over the documents once the registration is complete."
"Perfect," Andrea said, handing them a folder with additional details. "Feel free to reach out if you have any questions."
After the meeting, Leo gave Matthew a thumbs-up. "BPI looks solid. Let's get this account rolling as soon as the paperwork is done."
"Agreed," Matthew said. "Now let's check on Saimon and the accountant."
***
That evening, the three of them gathered in the office. Saimon had just returned from his meeting with Delgado Accounting & Associates.
"Alright, guys," Saimon said, dropping a folder on the table. "Met with the accounting team. They're legit. They specialize in startups, so they know all the tricks to keep us compliant and save on taxes."
"Nice," Leo said. "What did they say about payroll and filings?"
"They'll handle everything—tax registration, payroll setup, quarterly filings, and even employee benefits once we start hiring. They're also going to help us apply for tax incentives since we're a tech startup," Saimon explained.
"That's a relief," Matthew said. "We'll definitely need their support when things scale up."
"Exactly," Saimon replied. "They'll send us a proposal tomorrow, but honestly, I think they're the best option."
Matthew nodded, feeling a surge of confidence. "Alright. We've got our legal, financial, and banking foundations in place. Once everything's finalized, we'll officially be Sentinel Systems."
Leo raised his coffee cup in a mock toast. "Here's to Sentinel Systems—future cybersecurity giant!"
"Cheers to that," Saimon added with a grin.
Matthew smiled. "We've got a lot of work ahead, but we're off to a damn good start."