On a crisp Thursday evening, just before the Seattle Sounders kicked off their fiercely contested rivalry match against the Portland Timbers at Lumen Field, the stadium fell into a poignant hush. The vibrant, bustling energy of the crowd softened into a collective moment of reflection as the giant video boards illuminated the face of S. “Soma” Somasegar. This heartfelt tribute was dedicated to the beloved Microsoft veteran, Madrona Venture Group partner, and Sounders minority owner who passed away in May 2026 at the age of 59. For a community built on passion and rivalry, the pre-game silence served as a powerful reminder of a man whose quiet influence left an indelible mark on Seattle’s tech, venture capital, and sports landscapes.
Soma’s journey with the Sounders began in 2019, when he joined a star-studded wave of local technology and business leaders—including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella—who invested back into the heart of their home city. For Soma, buying into the Major League Soccer franchise was never merely a status symbol or a financial investment; it was an extension of his deeply held belief that sports possess a unique, magical ability to bridge divides and unite diverse communities. Alongside his wife, Akila, Soma dedicated himself to elevating both the Sounders and their sister club, the Seattle Reign, working tirelessly to strengthen the bonds between the teams and the passionate communities that support them.
Before his ventures into the sports world, Soma had already built a legendary 27-year career at Microsoft. He was a champion of developers, playing a pivotal role in shaping the tech giant’s developer tools division and driving some of the company’s most critical engineering initiatives. He transition smoothly into the venture capital world, spend more than a decade at Madrona Venture Group, where he mentored, funded, and championed the next generation of cloud and artificial intelligence startups. Yet, despite his towering professional achievements, those who knew him best remember a man defined not by his impressive resume, but by his genuine humility, extraordinary generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. In a fast-paced business world, Soma stood out as a compassionate mentor and a true pillar of the Pacific Northwest community._
