Working at Main: Beyond Borders with Ben Fu

At Main, career development goes beyond borders. With offices across seven operating countries, Business Analysts in the Investment Team have the opportunity to gain international experience through Main's exchange program. Ben Fu, Business Analyst in Boston, recently swapped the United States for the Netherlands, spending several months at Main's headquarters in The Hague. We spoke with Ben about working in a different market, building an international network and what the experience has meant for his professional development.

From Boston to The Hague

Just three months after joining Main’s Boston office, Ben was offered the opportunity to participate in Main’s international exchange program.

“When the seniors in the US office gauged my interest in the exchange program just three months after I joined Main, I figured they were either already sick of me, saw potential in my professional development, or both,” Ben jokes. “In any case, it was an easy decision to make.”

Having previously connected colleagues across European offices, the program welcomed its first participant from the US when Ben travelled to The Hague.

“Because Main is a Dutch firm at its roots and The Hague is where it all started, spending time at headquarters felt like an opportunity to see how a more established office operates and bring some of those perspectives back to Boston at the junior level.”

One Main, Different Markets

For Business Analysts, an international exchange offers the opportunity to experience how investment teams operate across different markets while remaining part of one international organization.

Coming from Boston’s relatively small team, Ben immediately noticed the difference in scale at headquarters.

“In The Hague, I was sitting in meetings with a much larger local investment team and alongside teams from other divisions including Investor Relations and Market Intelligence & Performance Excellence.”

Despite differences in office size and working culture, Main’s investment philosophy remained familiar.

“Whether it’s an investment opportunity in the Benelux or the US, the conversation comes back to the same questions around product, market, customers, and how to partner with management for the long term.”

Ben also recognized the same entrepreneurial mindset and flat hierarchy.

“Everyone has a voice, and as an analyst, you’re expected to bring a view, not just the numbers.”

Learning Beyond Your Home Market

Working alongside colleagues in another country gave Ben a broader perspective on evaluating investment opportunities.

“Seeing how colleagues evaluate companies in different European markets made me think more about local context: how customer bases, competitive landscapes, and buyer behavior can differ from country to country, even for very similar software products.”

The experience also introduced him to different approaches to communication and collaboration. While Boston’s smaller team operates in a fast-paced environment, Ben appreciated the directness of his Dutch colleagues.

“The Dutch are known for being direct, and pragmatism definitely showed in meetings. People say what they think, and the discussion moves forward from there.”

These differences provided valuable lessons to take back to Boston, both in evaluating opportunities and collaborating effectively.

Building an International Network

Beyond developing investment skills, the exchange allowed Ben to build relationships with colleagues he would not normally work with closely.

“Sitting in the local team meetings meant I got to know a much larger group of investment professionals covering our European portfolio companies as well as teams outside of investments.”

Being at headquarters also gave him a better understanding of how Main’s international teams work together.

“From Boston, you mostly see the deals and colleagues you work with directly. In The Hague, I got a better understanding of the central functions, how knowledge is shared between offices, and how every investment team across offices fits into the broader strategy.”

Those connections remain valuable now that he has returned to the US.

International Opportunities, Personal Growth

For Ben, the exchange demonstrates Main’s commitment to investing in young professionals and giving them opportunities to develop early in their careers.

“I came back with a much better understanding of how deals are evaluated across different markets, a larger network within the firm, and a refined ability to communicate my view effectively within a bigger room.”

The experience extended beyond professional development. From cycling through The Hague to experiencing Carnival and King’s Day, Ben also embraced Dutch life.

Asked what he would tell colleagues considering an exchange, his advice is simple:

“Do it. The people who I’ve seen thrive at Main and within my network in general tend to share two traits: ambition and the instinct to seize the right opportunity when it comes along.”

For Business Analysts looking to develop internationally, Main’s exchange program offers the chance to experience new markets, broaden perspectives and build lasting relationships across borders.

As Ben puts it, “Development in that sense isn’t confined to one team or one geography.”