The tech industry is in shock following the unexpected passing of Soma Somasegar, a former Microsoft executive and managing director at Madrona Venture Group. He was 59.
Madrona Confirms the News
Madrona Venture Group shared a solemn tribute on its official website, confirming that Somasegar passed away unexpectedly on May 19. Describing him as unique at every level, the company acknowledged that the Indian-origin official, who often embodied multiple identities as a technologist, executive, and investor, raised the bar on what they expected of themselves professionally and, more importantly, personally. The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed.
Tech Titans Pay Tribute
News of Somasegar's passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from tech industry giants. Chennai-born entrepreneur and US President Donald Trump's AI advisor, Sriram Krishnan, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his grief. He wrote that Somasegar played a defining role in shaping his and his wife Aarthi Ramamurthy's careers. Krishnan recalled how Somasegar spotted them as undergraduates, ensured they got their first jobs, and spent time with them despite being a senior Microsoft executive while they were junior employees. Over the years, Somasegar became a mentor who expressed pride in their achievements. Krishnan added that they would not have the lives and careers they have now without him, describing his heartbreak and shock.
Former Microsoft executive Steven Sinofsky also paid tribute, recalling their decades-long association at the company. He noted that they started at Microsoft months apart, both as graduate school dropouts, and their work paths intertwined for over two decades on projects ranging from the first NT to dev tools and college recruiting. Sinofsky highlighted Somasegar's legendary contributions to Microsoft and its culture, as well as the admiration and respect he earned from generations of Softies he guided and led. He concluded with "Om Shanti, Soma."
Who Was Soma Somasegar?
Soma Somasegar was born in 1966 in Puducherry and built a decades-long career in the global technology industry. He chose the American dream over a career at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After earning a bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Guindy Engineering College, Anna University, Chennai, he was selected as a research scientist by ISRO. However, he opted to pursue a master's in computer engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU).
His drive led him to Microsoft, where he maintained a 27-year career. He joined the tech giant in 1989 and led the company's Developer Division, overseeing the Visual Studio and .NET family of products. He was also responsible for Microsoft's R&D labs in Boston, China, India, and Israel and contributed to the release of Windows.
In November 2015, he left Microsoft as a Corporate Vice President to become the Managing Director of Madrona, a venture capital firm. He held that title until his death and also served on the Board of Directors at UiPath. Tragically, hours before his untimely death, he had expressed gratitude for being included in the 'SEED 100' list, which honored him as one of the best early investors of 2026.
He is survived by his wife Archana and two daughters, all of whom lived with him in Seattle.
