Former Microsoft executive S. Somasegar dies at 59, tech world pays tribute
S. Somasegar, a former Microsoft executive and Madrona Venture Group managing director, died at 59 on May 19, 2026, after nearly 27 years at Microsoft, where he led the Developer Division and mentored engineers and founders. Tributes from tech leaders, including Microsoft alumni and startups like UiPath, highlight his role in shaping Microsoft’s developer ecosystem and his influence on Seattle’s tech scene.
S. Somasegar, an Indian-American technology executive, died on May 19, 2026, at the age of 59. He spent nearly 27 years at Microsoft, joining in January 1989 and later leading the Developer Division, which oversaw products like Visual Studio and .NET. Somasegar also played a key role in establishing Microsoft’s India Development Center in Hyderabad in 1998 and contributed to Windows NT development. In 2015, Somasegar joined Madrona Venture Group, where he focused on investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud infrastructure, and intelligent applications. He served on the board of directors for UiPath from September 2024 until his death. Tributes from across the tech industry praised Somasegar’s mentorship and influence. Former Microsoft employees and startup founders described him as a quiet yet impactful leader who transformed careers, including those of Indian-American entrepreneur Sriram Krishnan and others. Krishnan noted Somasegar’s early support, saying he helped secure first jobs and provided guidance despite the executive’s senior position. Somasegar’s legacy extends to Seattle’s tech ecosystem, where he was recognized as a champion of developers and startups. His passing has sent shockwaves through Microsoft, Madrona Venture Group, and the many startups he invested in and mentored. He studied engineering in Chennai before moving to the United States for graduate studies at Louisiana State University, becoming one of the most prominent Indian-origin executives in the Seattle region.
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