The global technology industry is mourning the death of Soma Somasegar, the Indian-origin former Microsoft executive and venture capitalist, who died unexpectedly at the age of 59.
Widely known as “Soma” in Silicon Valley, he spent nearly 27 years at Microsoft and became one of the company’s most respected technology leaders. Over the years, he played a major role in shaping Microsoft’s developer tools and software ecosystem, working on products that were widely used by programmers and businesses around the world.
Born in Puducherry, Somasegar was known not only for his technical leadership but also for mentoring young engineers, startup founders, and developers. Colleagues and industry leaders described him as approachable, humble, and always willing to guide others.
During his time at Microsoft, he led the company’s Developer Division and worked closely on technologies such as Visual Studio and the .NET platform. He was also involved in expanding Microsoft’s engineering and research presence globally, including in India.
After leaving Microsoft in 2015, Somasegar joined Madrona Venture Group as a managing director, where he focused on investing in startups working in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and enterprise software.
Tributes poured in from across the tech world following news of his death. Satya Nadella and several other technology leaders remembered him as a thoughtful mentor and influential leader who helped shape careers and businesses.
Many startup founders also shared personal stories about how Somasegar supported them during the early stages of their companies. Friends said one of his biggest strengths was helping people quietly without seeking recognition.