iStockBengaluru has cemented its place among the world’s top 12 global tech powerhouse cities, joining innovation giants like San Francisco, New York, London, and Shanghai. With a tech workforce now exceeding one million, the city has emerged as Asia-Pacific’s largest tech talent market, alongside Beijing and Shanghai, and is rapidly becoming one of the world’s foremost AI development hubs.
CBRE, a real estate consulting firm, mentioned Bengaluru was ranked in the elite ‘Powerhouse’ category, which includes only 12 cities globally that possess large, deep, and highly competitive tech talent ecosystems.Bengaluru’s scale of tech talent now rivals leading U.S. hubs such as San Francisco and New York.
In addition to surpassing the one million mark in tech employment, Bengaluru has recorded a 12% rise in tech jobs between 2018 and 2023, aligning with international growth patterns in the tech sector.
“The distribution of tech talent around the world is the result of many factors that have increased demand for tech workers beyond traditional clusters,” said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE. “Bengaluru’s emergence as a global tech powerhouse reflects India’s strategic depth in digital innovation, AI, and talent readiness. Equally encouraging is the parallel rise of cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur, contributing to a diversified and resilient national tech ecosystem.”
CBRE, evaluated 115 global markets across three key categories—Powerhouse, Established, and Emerging—based on talent availability, quality, and cost.
The silicon valley of India also ranked 4th among the 12 tech powerhouse markets in the share of the working-age population, with 75.5% of its residents falling within this productive age group. Between 2019 and 2024, Bengaluru saw a 2.4% increase in its working-age population—one of the fastest growth rates globally.
Additionally, a strong ecosystem of premier educational institutions, research centers, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) has been crucial in supplying highly skilled talent for cutting-edge work in AI, data science, engineering, and product development. These elements, combined with cost advantages and favourable business regulations, have propelled the city’s tech ecosystem into the global spotlight.
“Global talent needs global standard workspaces—and Bengaluru’s rise to the global tech elite only accelerates that demand. As India cements its place in the global digital economy, the need for future-ready, sophisticated office ecosystems will grow exponentially. The momentum is undeniable, and this is just the beginning,” said Juggy Marwaha CEO - Prestige Group , Office
The report mentioned that Bengaluru's startup ecosystem continues to be a magnet for venture capital. In 2024 alone, the city attracted 140 VC deals valued at $ 3.3 billion, with 34 of these investments focused on AI-driven enterprises. Home to 28 unicorns, Bengaluru stands as India’s tech capital, driving innovation not only domestically but also at a global scale.
“Beyond its core strength in technology, the growth of Global Capability Centres and the rapid rise of sectors like healthcare, insurance, and consulting have played a pivotal role in elevating Bengaluru’s global standing. We are not just witnessing a tech boom but also seeing a full-spectrum transformation of the city’s economic fabric,” said Thirumal Govindraj, chief executive of RMZ Office and RMZ NXT.
While Bengaluru leads the pack, the CBRE report highlights that other Indian cities like Delhi-NCR closed 183 VC deals worth $ 1.9 billion in 2024, including 42 in AI. With 15 unicorns and 16 IPOs, the region continues to evolve as a significant innovation hub. Mumbai followed with 167 deals amounting to $ 4.9 billion—India’s highest VC tally—driven by 26 AI-focused investments, 7 unicorns, and 47 IPOs.
Meanwhile, Ahmedabad and Jaipur are emerging as cost-effective alternatives for tech expansion. Ahmedabad’s tech ecosystem is bolstered by the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), set to host over 550 companies. Jaipur, with its strong academic institutions and lower operational costs, is also becoming attractive for IT and startup ventures.
Ada Choi, Head of Research – APAC, CBRE, added, “As companies seek out tech talent to implement transformative technologies like AI, markets like Bengaluru stand out for their ability to support rapid innovation. Our analysis also shows how growing talent pools influence long-term real estate demand.”
The CBRE report outlines several key insights shaping the global tech talent landscape. Despite a broader hiring slowdown, tech employment and venture capital funding remain robust, with artificial intelligence emerging as the primary driver—contributing to a record $129 billion in investments in 2024 alone.
The Asia-Pacific region, particularly Bengaluru, Beijing, and Shanghai, leads the global tech talent market, each with over one million tech professionals. India and the U.S. continue to be the dominant hubs for AI development, while markets like Poland and Germany are witnessing the fastest growth in AI talent.
Labour remains the most significant expense for non-manufacturing tech firms, followed by real estate. Meanwhile, emerging cities such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur are gaining momentum due to improved education systems, cost efficiency, and a high quality of life, offering compelling alternatives to traditional hub.
Looking ahead, sustained innovation in emerging technologies is expected to drive the next economic growth cycle, ensuring continued global demand for tech talent. As the global tech landscape continues to evolve, Bengaluru’s ascent signals not only a maturing domestic market but also India’s growing stature as a global innovation powerhouse.
CBRE, a real estate consulting firm, mentioned Bengaluru was ranked in the elite ‘Powerhouse’ category, which includes only 12 cities globally that possess large, deep, and highly competitive tech talent ecosystems.Bengaluru’s scale of tech talent now rivals leading U.S. hubs such as San Francisco and New York.
In addition to surpassing the one million mark in tech employment, Bengaluru has recorded a 12% rise in tech jobs between 2018 and 2023, aligning with international growth patterns in the tech sector.
“The distribution of tech talent around the world is the result of many factors that have increased demand for tech workers beyond traditional clusters,” said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE. “Bengaluru’s emergence as a global tech powerhouse reflects India’s strategic depth in digital innovation, AI, and talent readiness. Equally encouraging is the parallel rise of cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur, contributing to a diversified and resilient national tech ecosystem.”
CBRE, evaluated 115 global markets across three key categories—Powerhouse, Established, and Emerging—based on talent availability, quality, and cost.
The silicon valley of India also ranked 4th among the 12 tech powerhouse markets in the share of the working-age population, with 75.5% of its residents falling within this productive age group. Between 2019 and 2024, Bengaluru saw a 2.4% increase in its working-age population—one of the fastest growth rates globally.
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Additionally, a strong ecosystem of premier educational institutions, research centers, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) has been crucial in supplying highly skilled talent for cutting-edge work in AI, data science, engineering, and product development. These elements, combined with cost advantages and favourable business regulations, have propelled the city’s tech ecosystem into the global spotlight.
“Global talent needs global standard workspaces—and Bengaluru’s rise to the global tech elite only accelerates that demand. As India cements its place in the global digital economy, the need for future-ready, sophisticated office ecosystems will grow exponentially. The momentum is undeniable, and this is just the beginning,” said Juggy Marwaha CEO - Prestige Group , Office
The report mentioned that Bengaluru's startup ecosystem continues to be a magnet for venture capital. In 2024 alone, the city attracted 140 VC deals valued at $ 3.3 billion, with 34 of these investments focused on AI-driven enterprises. Home to 28 unicorns, Bengaluru stands as India’s tech capital, driving innovation not only domestically but also at a global scale.
“Beyond its core strength in technology, the growth of Global Capability Centres and the rapid rise of sectors like healthcare, insurance, and consulting have played a pivotal role in elevating Bengaluru’s global standing. We are not just witnessing a tech boom but also seeing a full-spectrum transformation of the city’s economic fabric,” said Thirumal Govindraj, chief executive of RMZ Office and RMZ NXT.
While Bengaluru leads the pack, the CBRE report highlights that other Indian cities like Delhi-NCR closed 183 VC deals worth $ 1.9 billion in 2024, including 42 in AI. With 15 unicorns and 16 IPOs, the region continues to evolve as a significant innovation hub. Mumbai followed with 167 deals amounting to $ 4.9 billion—India’s highest VC tally—driven by 26 AI-focused investments, 7 unicorns, and 47 IPOs.
Meanwhile, Ahmedabad and Jaipur are emerging as cost-effective alternatives for tech expansion. Ahmedabad’s tech ecosystem is bolstered by the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), set to host over 550 companies. Jaipur, with its strong academic institutions and lower operational costs, is also becoming attractive for IT and startup ventures.
Ada Choi, Head of Research – APAC, CBRE, added, “As companies seek out tech talent to implement transformative technologies like AI, markets like Bengaluru stand out for their ability to support rapid innovation. Our analysis also shows how growing talent pools influence long-term real estate demand.”
The CBRE report outlines several key insights shaping the global tech talent landscape. Despite a broader hiring slowdown, tech employment and venture capital funding remain robust, with artificial intelligence emerging as the primary driver—contributing to a record $129 billion in investments in 2024 alone.
The Asia-Pacific region, particularly Bengaluru, Beijing, and Shanghai, leads the global tech talent market, each with over one million tech professionals. India and the U.S. continue to be the dominant hubs for AI development, while markets like Poland and Germany are witnessing the fastest growth in AI talent.
Labour remains the most significant expense for non-manufacturing tech firms, followed by real estate. Meanwhile, emerging cities such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur are gaining momentum due to improved education systems, cost efficiency, and a high quality of life, offering compelling alternatives to traditional hub.
Looking ahead, sustained innovation in emerging technologies is expected to drive the next economic growth cycle, ensuring continued global demand for tech talent. As the global tech landscape continues to evolve, Bengaluru’s ascent signals not only a maturing domestic market but also India’s growing stature as a global innovation powerhouse.
( Originally published on May 27, 2025 )
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