SEATTLE (Diya TV) — Sivaramakrishnan Somasegar, the longtime Microsoft executive known across the tech world as “Soma,” has died at 59 after a career that shaped modern software development and helped launch a new generation of cloud and artificial intelligence startups. Microsoft and Seattle venture capital firm Madrona confirmed his death on Tuesday. No cause of death was released. Somasegar is survived by his wife, Akila, and their two daughters.
Somasegar spent 27 years at Microsoft before joining Madrona in 2015. He became one of the most respected leaders in Seattle’s technology community through his work in software engineering, venture investing, and mentorship. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella remembered Somasegar as a leader who shaped the company’s developer ecosystem and supported engineers around the world.
“He brought depth, humility, and a real commitment to empowering developers everywhere,” Nadella said in a statement.
Born on Aug. 13, 1966, in Puducherry, Somasegar grew up in a family that strongly valued education. He moved to the United States in 1987 to study computer engineering at Louisiana State University. He joined Microsoft in 1989 as a software engineer working on the OS/2 operating system. Soon after, he became part of the team building Windows NT, one of the company’s most important software projects.
During those early years, Somasegar became known for his discipline and attention to detail. He often arrived before sunrise to monitor system tests and identify software failures before daily engineering meetings. His career continued to rise inside Microsoft. In 1998, he founded the company’s India Development Center in Hyderabad, which later became one of Microsoft’s largest engineering hubs outside the United States.
By 2003, Somasegar led Microsoft’s Developer Division. The group managed major tools, including Visual Studio and the .NET framework, used by millions of software developers worldwide. Under his leadership, Microsoft expanded its developer tools beyond Windows and deeper into cloud computing and mobile technology. He also supported Microsoft’s decision to open-source the .NET framework in 2014, a major turning point for the company.
Many people across the technology industry described Somasegar as a generous mentor who helped young engineers build successful careers. Friends and former colleagues shared emotional tributes online after news of his death spread on Tuesday.
Several described how Somasegar recruited them out of college, guided them early in their careers, and remained supportive long after they left Microsoft. Matt McIlwain, a managing director at Madrona, said Somasegar cared deeply about helping others succeed.
“Soma was beloved by so many people in all aspects of his life,” McIlwain said. “He had such a generous spirit for helping others.”
Nadella also described the loss as deeply personal. He said Somasegar supported him and his family during difficult moments over the years.
After leaving Microsoft, Somasegar joined Madrona and focused on early-stage investments in cloud infrastructure, developer tools, and artificial intelligence companies. He played a role in investments tied to several major tech companies, including Snowflake, UiPath, Pulumi, Statsig, and Common Room.
Many of those startups later grew into multibillion-dollar businesses. Statsig was acquired by OpenAI in 2025 for $1.1 billion. Somasegar remained active in the Seattle startup scene until his death. Earlier this week, Business Insider named him to its Seed 100 list of top early-stage investors for 2026. Outside of technology, Somasegar also supported Seattle sports organizations. He co-owned the Seattle Orcas cricket team and held ownership stakes in Seattle Sounders FC.
Friends and colleagues said Somasegar’s impact extended far beyond software and business. He frequently spoke about community service and philanthropy in Seattle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped support fundraising efforts for All In Seattle, a campaign focused on homelessness relief and community support programs. In one of his final public interviews earlier this year, Somasegar said strong communities mattered as much as professional success.
“We are also all about the community,” he said. “We are about embracing the community.”
Tech leaders across Seattle and beyond continue to honor Somasegar not only for his business achievements but also for his kindness, humility, and dedication to helping others grow.
