Catching Up with Lyon Berends, student of the Main Scholarship Program

The Main Scholarship Program, an initiative by the Main Social Institute launched by Main Capital Partners, bridges the gap between emerging tech talent and the software industry. Unlike traditional scholarships, this program nurtures the next generation of tech professionals through mentorship, real-world exposure, and a strong industry network.

From Curiosity to Code
Lyon’s fascination with programming began at 12, sparked by web development. What started as building simple websites evolved into writing exploit scripts for Roblox games, creating Discord bots, and delving into desktop applications. “Today, I’m primarily focused on embedded systems and low-level programming,” Lyon shares. “That’s where I feel the most excitement – working with languages like Rust, C, C++, and Zig.”

At Saxion, he’s studying HBO-ICT with a specialization in Software Engineering, learning to design websites, desktop software, and embedded systems. “There’s a strong emphasis on teamwork,” he explains. “We learn to work as a development team, solving client problems and using tools like Git and Docker to collaborate effectively.”

Connecting with Main
Lyon first learned about the Main Scholarship Program during an on-campus presentation to first-year students. “The talk highlighted not only the financial support but also the mentorship and industry connections. That’s what truly caught my attention,” he recalls. “Shortly after, I applied and was thrilled to be accepted.”

His initial expectations? “I hoped to gain support in navigating my studies, and to get a real-world view of the IT landscape, along with opportunities to build a strong professional network.”

Real-World Exposure
So far, the experience has exceeded Lyon’s expectations. One highlight was a day spent at RailCube, where his mentor works. “They really took the time to show me the ropes and explain how things function behind the scenes,” Lyon says. “It gave me a clear picture of what working in the industry can look like.”

Another standout experience was the CTO event organized by Main. “It was eye-opening. I learned about common pitfalls in business and how to avoid them; a knowledge you don’t get from textbooks.”

Before joining the scholarship program, Lyon worked long hours at a distribution center for a grocery’s delivery store. “Balancing that with my studies was tough,” he admits. “Thanks to the financial support from Main, I was able to quit that job and fully commit to my studies and hobby projects.”

Building the Future – One Circuit at a Time
Since joining the program, Lyon has set up a mini workbench in his room, diving into hardware and embedded systems. One project was a Valentine’s gift for his girlfriend, a custom LED matrix in a frame that displayed a beating heart animation. Currently, he’s working on a smart plant pot. “I’m building a system that reads soil moisture levels using a sensor connected to an Arduino Nano, which then sends data to a Raspberry Pi. Eventually, I want it to automatically water the plant based on real-time data.”

Despite his coding experience, Lyon initially found teamwork and documentation challenging. “I used to work alone on all my projects, so collaborating in groups was new to me.” Thanks to his studies, he’s now familiar with agile methodologies like Scrum and tools like GitLab. “Scrum meetings and issue boards have really helped us stay organized and motivated.”

Looking Ahead
Lyon has a clear vision for his future: “I see myself working in embedded systems, ideally in Eindhoven, using low-level languages like Rust, C, C++, or Zig. That’s where I feel most at home, and happiest.”

To students considering the Main Scholarship Program, Lyon has one key message: “Take every opportunity you get. If you’re passionate about ICT and need a push in the right direction, don’t hesitate, apply. A doubt usually means yes.”
“This program has allowed me to fully focus on my future,” Lyon says, with gratitude. “I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who makes this scholarship possible. It’s not just support, it’s empowerment.”

The Main Scholarship Program, through its unique blend of mentorship, community, and support, is helping students like Lyon go beyond the classroom and into a world where they can turn curiosity into capability, and eventually into impact.