Main has always had a strong entrepreneurial culture, where people are encouraged to take ownership and drive initiatives forward. Expanding our presence in the UK is a great example of that. We can draw on the experience and support of colleagues across Main, while taking ownership and making a real impact."
With its London office and first UK investments, Main is taking another step in its international expansion. For Sjoerd and Thomas, this is an opportunity to further strengthen Main's international presence, develop new partnerships with UK software entrepreneurs and management teams, and contribute to the firm's continued growth.
Why the UK, and why now?
For Main, the UK represents a natural next step in its international growth strategy. With one of Europe’s largest and most developed software markets, an established technology ecosystem and a strong entrepreneurial culture, the country offers significant investment opportunities.
“The UK has been on our radar for quite some time,” Sjoerd explains. “It is one of Europe’s largest and most attractive software markets, with many strong businesses that have the potential to grow further. We believe our software expertise, international network and proven buy-and-build approach can make a real difference. Our ambition is to become a leading investment partner for UK software entrepreneurs and management teams, helping them accelerate growth and build international market leaders.”
Main’s expansion into the UK builds on the experience gained through its existing international offices. It also creates new opportunities for portfolio companies looking to enter or expand in the UK market.
“Our experience in other markets gives us a strong starting point in the UK,” Sjoerd adds. “Having a strong team on the ground, with people who really understand the local market, is essential. It allows us to develop relationships with UK entrepreneurs and management teams, while also helping our existing portfolio companies expand here.”
An entrepreneurial opportunity within Main
For Thomas, moving to London was both a personal decision and an important step in his professional development. The opportunity to help establish Main’s UK office appealed to the entrepreneurial mindset that originally attracted him to the firm.
“What attracted me most was the entrepreneurial opportunity and the responsibility that comes with it,” Thomas explains. “Main has always had a strong entrepreneurial culture, where people are encouraged to take ownership and drive initiatives forward. Expanding our presence in the UK is a great example of that. We can draw on the experience and support of colleagues across Main, while taking ownership and making a real impact.”
Building an office involves much more than sourcing and executing investments. Alongside meeting software entrepreneurs and evaluating investment opportunities, Thomas is involved in developing the local network, recruiting colleagues and establishing Main’s reputation in the UK market.
“One moment you are discussing an investment opportunity with a management team, and the next you are thinking about recruitment or how to introduce Main to the broader UK market,” Thomas says. “That variety is what makes the role so interesting. You are not just executing an investment strategy; you are helping expand the organisation itself.”
Combining Main’s experience with a local approach
While establishing a new office brings entrepreneurial challenges, the UK team can draw on Main’s experience and established international platform.
“We are not starting from scratch,” Thomas explains. “We have a proven strategy, extensive sector knowledge and colleagues across Europe and the US who are always willing to share their experience. The challenge is to combine those strengths with a genuinely local presence and network.”
For Sjoerd, this balance is essential to Main’s international expansion strategy.
“What matters to us is that, as we expand internationally, we remain one Main,” Sjoerd explains. “We apply the same investment philosophy across our markets, with teams working closely together and sharing knowledge and experience. Having a strong local presence allows us to combine those strengths with local market knowledge and relationships.”
That close collaboration also extends across Main’s organisation. Investment teams work alongside colleagues in Market Intelligence and Performance Excellence to help portfolio companies with commercial growth, product and technology development, international expansion and strategic acquisitions.
Turning ambition into results
An important milestone in Main’s UK expansion was the acquisition of Orgvue, its first UK platform investment, followed by the announced acquisition of Tribal Group, a UK-based EdTech software business.
“Completing our first platform investment was an important moment,” Thomas reflects. “Until then, much of our work had been focused on establishing Main’s presence, building relationships and developing opportunities. Orgvue and Tribal made that ambition tangible.”
Both investments reflect Main’s focus on specialist software businesses with strong market positions and opportunities for further growth.
“Orgvue and Tribal are good examples of the opportunities we see in the UK,” Sjoerd explains. “These are businesses operating in attractive software markets where we can use our sector experience, international network and hands-on approach to support their next phase of growth.”
For Thomas, the first investments also reinforce the excitement of expanding Main’s presence in a new market.
“The first milestones are rewarding, but we are still at the beginning. There is a large market to explore, many relationships to build and a team to grow. That is what makes the opportunity so exciting.”
Building a team and a lasting presence
Looking ahead, both Sjoerd and Thomas see considerable opportunities to further develop Main’s presence in the UK. Alongside growing the investment portfolio, a key priority is to further expand the London team with people who share Main’s entrepreneurial mindset and collaborative culture.
“We want to attract people who are ambitious, proactive and enjoy taking ownership,” Sjoerd says. “What makes Main special is that you can take on significant responsibility while being part of a highly collaborative international organisation. Expanding into a new market offers a particularly strong opportunity to develop professionally and have a direct impact.”
Ultimately, the ambition extends well beyond the first investments.
“Our ambition is to become one of the leading software investors in the UK,” Sjoerd concludes. “Having secured our first two investments so soon after opening our London office is a great start and reinforces our confidence that Main’s approach works well in this market. We are excited to build on this momentum and further grow our presence in the UK.”
At Main you will enter a dynamic work-environment and collaborate cross-border, together with a young, ambitious and international team. Check out our vacancies to see if there's a match for you.
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