Clemens Schotte
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Clemens Schotte

About me

Hi, I’m Clemens Schotte, a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, cloud architect, and passionate developer who has been shaping the future of technology for over two decades.

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What I Do Today

I lead product strategy for Azure Maps at Microsoft, where I help developers and enterprises build location-aware applications that scale globally. My work spans from defining product roadmaps to enabling integrations with Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, and the broader Azure ecosystem. I’m particularly excited about bringing geospatial intelligence to AI agents through technologies like the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

When I’m not working on Azure Maps, you’ll find me deep in code – building AI chat assistants, creating MCP servers, and exploring how tools like GitHub Copilot are transforming the way we develop software. I’m a firm believer that the best product managers write code, understand the developer experience firsthand, and stay close to the technical details.

My Journey

My path in technology started in 2002 when I graduated from The Hague University with a degree in Information Sciences. I began as a software developer, crafting web solutions with PHP and C#, but my curiosity for emerging technologies quickly led me into consulting and technical evangelism.

I joined Microsoft in 2007 as an Application Platform Consultant and spent the next decade in various technical roles – from Senior Premier Field Engineer working with ISVs like Exact and SDL Tridion, to Senior Technical Evangelist driving adoption of Windows Phone Apps, Windows 8 Apps, Silverlight and Microsoft Edge. During this time, I delivered hands-on labs and workshops to thousands of developers across the Netherlands.

In 2017, I took a brief detour to Dropbox as a Solutions Architect, where I learned valuable lessons about enterprise collaboration and cloud adoption. But Microsoft called me back in 2019, and I’ve been here ever since, first as a Cloud Consultant helping organizations like ABN AMRO and Nokia with their digital transformations, and now leading product strategy for Azure Maps.

What Drives Me

I’m fascinated by the intersection of AI, geospatial technology, and developer experience. Whether it’s building an Azure Maps MCP server that gives LLMs spatial intelligence, or creating a personal AI chat assistant for my blog using n8n on Azure Container Apps, I love solving real problems with elegant, composable solutions.

My approach is hands-on and pragmatic. I believe the best way to understand developer needs is to be a developer yourself. That’s why I maintain active projects on GitHub, write detailed technical blog posts, and experiment with cutting-edge tools like GitHub Copilot, Visual Studio Code, and the latest AI frameworks.

Technical Interests

  • Cloud Architecture: Specializing in Azure services, particularly geospatial solutions, Container Apps, and serverless architectures
  • AI & Agents: Building practical AI applications, MCP servers, and exploring how LLMs can be enhanced with real-time data
  • Developer Tools: Deep expertise in Visual Studio Code, GitHub Copilot, and modern development workflows
  • Programming Languages: Primarily C# and .NET, with explorations into Rust, Zig, and TypeScript
  • DevOps & Infrastructure: Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD pipelines, and zero-touch deployment strategies

Beyond Work

When I’m not coding or strategizing about product roadmaps, I’m probably tinkering with my home network setup (featuring a Tesla Powerwall 2 and solar energy system), exploring new automation tools, or sharing insights through my blog and podcast appearances.

I believe in the power of community and knowledge sharing. You’ll often find me contributing to open-source projects, speaking at technical events, or mentoring fellow developers. I served on the Microsoft Netherlands Workers’ Council from 2011-2014 and was an active board member of Computer Club Zeeland in my earlier years.

Let’s Connect

I’m always excited to discuss Azure Maps, AI agents, developer tools, or any intersection of technology and real-world problem solving. You can find me on:

Whether you’re building the next great location-aware application, exploring AI agents, or just want to chat about the future of developer tools, I’d love to hear from you. The best conversations happen when passionate technologists come together to solve real problems.

Note: The opinions expressed on this blog and in my public content are my own and do not necessarily represent those of Microsoft.