Google and Facebook vet returns to Microsoft to work on Teams for consumers

Windows 11 Chat Setup
Windows 11 Chat Setup (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft hired Amit Fulay, a former product lead at Facebook and Google.
  • Fulay will work on Microsoft Teams for Life, the consumer version of Microsoft Teams.
  • Fulay started his career at Microsoft in 2007.

Microsoft's recent job listing for senior program manager on the Teams for Life group sheds light on what Fulay will likely do for the company, though it's important to note that Fulay's LinkedIn profile states he is vice president of product, not senior program manager:

Our team is responsible for creating the NEW consumer offering of Microsoft Teams. We'll do this by extending the power of Teams beyond work scenarios to your personal life. Whether you're a busy parent managing daily family life or just trying to stay connected and in sync with those who matter most, the Teams consumer offering will alleviate the need for disparate tools and instead offer one central hub for individuals, groups, and families to collaborate and stay connected and organized.

Microsoft is clearly pushing the consumer version of Teams. The new Chat app in Windows 11 is powered by Teams.

An internal memo seen by Geekwire announced the hiring of Gupta. It says that Fulay "will be invaluable for us to build a world-class [Teams for Life] product and turbocharge our consumer-oriented thinking across all of Microsoft."

This is a return to Microsoft for Fulay, who started his career with the company in 2007. Fulay also has experience working at the same company as Gupta, as both worked at Google.

Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.