Cloud computing
10 Microsoft startups leaders
These ten current and former Microsoft startups leaders have held general manager, managing director, director and head of startups roles in Microsoft for Startups and Microsoft's venture capital and startup partnerships teams. A reader can learn how startup programs are run at Microsoft from people who led them.
Professionals to explore
01—10Cathy Zhu
LinkedInExperience: Director, Go-To-Market, Microsoft for Startups · Microsoft
Director, Go-To-Market, Microsoft for Startups since March 2025. Earlier at Microsoft they were Go-To-Market Lead, Microsoft for Startups, Cloud + AI (2024–2025) and Sr. Business Program Manager, Microsoft for Startups, Cloud + AI (2020–2024).
Kapil Chawla
LinkedInExperience: Head of Startups VC Partnerships Digital Natives · Microsoft
Head of Startups VC Partnerships Digital Natives at Microsoft since July 2025, where their profile says they lead Microsoft's startups, VC partnerships and digital natives business for India. They were Director, ISV Business & Partnerships, Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft (2022–2025) and Head - Advisory & GSI Partnerships at Cisco (2018–2021).
Kevin Magee
LinkedInExperience: Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups Microsoft for Startups · Microsoft
Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups, Microsoft for Startups since July 2024, where their profile says they lead the worldwide cybersecurity strategy, programs and portfolio for Microsoft for Startups. They were Chief Security Officer at Microsoft (2020–2024) and Americas Director, Azure Emerging Technologies (2019).
Madhurima Agarwal
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director - Microsoft for Startups, India · Microsoft
Managing Director - Microsoft for Startups, India from May 2022; the listing shows no end date for that row, but their profile headline describes them as Ex-MD Microsoft for Startups, India, and they have held an AI Transformation role at Microsoft since September 2024. Before Microsoft they were Director - Engineering Programs and Leader - NetApp Excellerator at NetApp (2017–2022).
Meena Millman
LinkedInExperience: Director, Strategic Partnerships, Microsoft for Startups · Microsoft
Former Director, Strategic Partnerships, Microsoft for Startups (2021–2024), where their profile says they built global programs recruiting and supporting strategic startups in sectors from gaming to B2B SaaS. Since January 2024 they have been Director, Corporate Business Development, Strategy and Ventures at Microsoft.
Miguel Vicente
LinkedInExperience: Director Operations and Program Experience, Microsoft for Startups · Microsoft
Former Director Operations and Program Experience, Microsoft for Startups (2017–2020), where their profile says they led strategy, operations and business execution for selecting and onboarding the program's members. They were later Head of Commercial Ecosystem, Azure Cloud for Gaming (2020–2023) and since 2023 Director, Strategic Partner Management, Xbox.
Natalie Heard
LinkedInExperience: Director, Venture Capital and Startup Partnerships · Microsoft
Director, Venture Capital and Startup Partnerships at Microsoft since September 2022. Before Microsoft they worked in Venture Capital Business Development at Amazon Web Services (2020–2022) and were a Sr. Partner Development Manager there (2017–2020).
Noga Tal
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups · Microsoft
Former Managing Director, Microsoft for Startups (2021–2024), after Global Head of Partnerships, Microsoft for Startups (2019–2021) and Director, Strategic Initiatives & Programs, Microsoft for Startups (2017–2018). Since June 2024 they have worked in GTM Enablement at Microsoft.
Samantha (Bowman) Turner
LinkedInExperience: Director of Startup Go-To-Market Programs · Microsoft
Director of Startup Go-To-Market Programs at Microsoft since September 2022, after Senior Business Program Manager (2020–2022) and Business Program Manager (2016–2020) at Microsoft. They were Director of Undergraduate Admissions at California Baptist University (2014–2016).
Tom Davis
LinkedInExperience: General Manager and Partner, Microsoft for Startups · Microsoft
General Manager and Partner, Microsoft for Startups since April 2026, after Partner (2023–2026) and Senior Director (2020–2023) at Microsoft for Startups. Their profile says they lead a global organization helping early-stage founders. They were Head of Strategic Partners and Verticals, Azure IoT at Microsoft (2018–2020).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's part of the program to your question, since go-to-market, program operations, strategic partnerships and investor relationships are led by different people. Pick a current leader for how the program works today and a former director for how it was built and how it changed over time.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How is a startup program at a large software company organized between program operations, go-to-market and partnerships teams?
- 02How do startup teams at a large cloud company work with venture capital firms and their portfolio companies?
- 03How does a startup program at a large software company decide which industries or technologies to focus on?
Reaching Microsoft startups leaders
How can I contact one of these Microsoft startups leaders?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 1 company: Microsoft, based on profile data retrieved on October 10, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach Microsoft startups leaders?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
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Can an AI agent ask one of these Microsoft startups leaders a question?
Yes. An agent with a USDC wallet on Base can ask one question without an Instant Expert account. It names the person, for example by the LinkedIn URL on this page, and pays per ask over x402 (HTTP 402). The person answers in writing or by voice note, and if nobody answers within 7 days, the payment goes back to the wallet automatically. x402 docs
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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