The global technology community mourns the passing of S. “Soma” Somasegar, a former Microsoft executive and influential mentor, who died at the age of 59.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The global technology community is in mourning following the death of S. “Soma” Somasegar, a former Microsoft executive and managing director at Madrona Venture Group. Somasegar, who played a pivotal role in shaping Microsoft’s developer ecosystem, passed away on May 19, 2026, at the age of 59.
A family memorial message shared the news, stating, “With heavy hearts, we share the passing of beloved husband and father, S. Somasegar.” His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across Silicon Valley and Seattle, where he was highly regarded for his contributions to the tech industry.
Somasegar dedicated nearly 27 years to Microsoft before transitioning to Madrona Venture Group in 2015. His influence extended beyond his corporate roles, as he was known for mentoring generations of engineers, founders, and investors.
Entrepreneur and White House AI adviser Sriram Krishnan reflected on Somasegar’s impact, describing him as a mentor who transformed careers. “It’s hard to articulate how much of an impact Soma had on @aarthir and me,” Krishnan wrote on X. “He spotted us out of undergrad, made sure we got our first jobs, spent time with us though he was a senior executive at Microsoft and we were random junior people, and showered us with kindness.” He added, “We genuinely wouldn’t have the lives and careers we have now without him.”
Automation software company UiPath, where Somasegar served on the board of directors since September 2024, expressed their sorrow in a statement. “We are saddened to hear of the untimely passing of S. ‘Soma’ Somasegar. Our hearts go out to Soma’s wife, Akila, his daughters, and to his colleagues at Madrona.”
Technology journalist Tom Warren noted Somasegar’s significant contributions during his tenure at Microsoft, stating that he “spent 27 years at Microsoft and led the company’s Developer Division.” Warren emphasized Somasegar’s integral role in the Seattle tech scene.
GeekWire, a technology news publication, described Somasegar as “a champion of developers and startups” who mentored numerous founders and investors throughout Seattle’s technology ecosystem.
Somasegar joined Microsoft in January 1989, where he led the Developer Division and oversaw key products such as Visual Studio and .NET. He was instrumental in establishing Microsoft’s India Development Center in Hyderabad in 1998, further expanding the company’s global footprint.
After leaving Microsoft, Somasegar focused on investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud infrastructure, and intelligent applications at Madrona Venture Group.
Originally from Chennai, Somasegar studied engineering before moving to the United States for graduate studies at Louisiana State University. His legacy as a mentor and leader will be remembered by many in the technology sector.
According to IANS, Somasegar’s contributions to the tech community have left an indelible mark, and he will be missed by colleagues and friends alike.