Seattle Tech Worker Quit Microsoft for Startup
A former Microsoft employee left his six-figure role to launch an AI-powered financial coaching platform.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Investing
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In August 2025, Seattle-based software developer Junead Khan resigned from his position at Microsoft to launch his own AI startup, Treasury. The career shift occurred after Khan spent two years developing the business on his own time.
Why it matters
The transition reflects a growing trend of tech professionals leaving large firms to pursue independent AI ventures. Khan reported that he moved on because he felt his corporate role limited his skill development and slowed down product shipping speed.
Khan earned more than $200,000 in 2024 while at Microsoft before pivoting to his startup. Treasury has since generated more than $6,000 in revenue since its October 2025 launch.
The players
Junead Khan
A former Microsoft developer and founder of the financial coaching platform Treasury.
Microsoft
A global technology company providing software and cloud services where Khan earned over $200,000 annually.
The details
To launch Treasury, Khan utilized personal savings to fund his operations. He accelerated the development process by leveraging AI coding tools, specifically Claude Code and Codex, to build the platform during his off-hours while still employed at Microsoft. His departure from the company marked the end of a two-year period during which he balanced his full-time software engineering job with building his own business.
Timeline
2019: Khan moved to the US from the UK.
2023: Khan joined Microsoft.
2024: Khan earned more than $200,000 at Microsoft.
August 2025: Khan resigned from Microsoft.
October 2025: Khan launched his startup, Treasury.
Money Landscape
This transition follows a documented trend of individual developers departing large tech firms to independently launch AI-powered software products. It illustrates the growing movement of workers utilizing AI tools to scale solo ventures.
For those considering self-funding a new business, the move underscores the importance of maintaining a personal savings buffer while testing a product. Households looking to launch a venture should consult with a financial professional to discuss how to manage risks to their long-term security.
The takeaway
This case highlights the financial trade-offs between steady corporate compensation and the high-risk, high-reward nature of startup founding. Aspiring entrepreneurs should track their burn rate against their personal savings to ensure they have adequate runway for their ventures.
Further reading
For broader insights into the tech career landscape, visit Investing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hindustan Times.
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