The news was confirmed by Madrona Venture Group, where Somasegar served as Managing Director. In a heartfelt tribute published on the firm’s official website, Madrona stated that Somasegar had “passed away unexpectedly” on May 19. The company described him as someone who excelled as a technologist, executive, and investor while inspiring colleagues both professionally and personally. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Tributes Pour In From Across the Tech World
Following the announcement, several prominent figures from the technology industry shared emotional tributes honoring Somasegar’s legacy and mentorship.
Indian-American entrepreneur and AI advisor Sriram Krishnan reflected on the profound impact Somasegar had on his and his wife Aarthi Ramamurthy’s careers. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Krishnan wrote that Somasegar had recognized their potential early in their careers, helped them secure their first jobs, and continued mentoring them despite being a senior Microsoft executive.
Krishnan described Somasegar as a generous mentor whose encouragement and guidance played a defining role in their professional journeys. “We genuinely wouldn’t have the lives and careers we have now without him,” he wrote, adding that he was deeply heartbroken by the loss.
Former Microsoft executive Steven Sinofsky also shared a tribute, recalling his decades-long association with Somasegar. Sinofsky noted that both had joined Microsoft around the same time and collaborated on major initiatives ranging from Windows NT to developer tools and university recruiting efforts.
He praised Somasegar’s contributions to Microsoft’s culture and products, describing the admiration and respect he earned from generations of employees as “legendary.”
From Puducherry to Silicon Valley
Born in 1966 in Puducherry, Somasegar built an extraordinary career that spanned nearly three decades at Microsoft and later extended into venture capital and startup mentorship.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy under Anna University, he was reportedly selected as a research scientist by Indian Space Research Organisation. However, he chose to pursue higher education in the United States instead, completing a master’s degree in computer engineering at Louisiana State University.
Somasegar joined Microsoft in 1989 and went on to build a 27-year-long career at the company. During his tenure, he led the Developer Division and oversaw flagship products including Visual Studio and the .NET platform. He also managed Microsoft’s research and development centers across Boston, China, India, and Israel, while contributing to several Windows releases.
In 2015, Somasegar left Microsoft as Corporate Vice President to join Madrona Venture Group as Managing Director. He also served on the Board of Directors of UiPath.
A Final Recognition
In a poignant coincidence, just hours before his passing, Somasegar had shared his gratitude for being included in the “SEED 100” list, which recognized the best early-stage investors of 2026.
Somasegar is survived by his wife, Archana, and their two daughters. The family lived in Seattle, where he remained an influential figure in the technology and startup ecosystem until his final days.
