Bengaluru among top 12 global tech hubs as Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent hits one million

Bengaluru has been identified as one of the 12 leading global tech 'powerhouse' cities in CBRE's Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025, joining renowned hubs such as San Francisco, London, Beijing, and Tokyo. With a tech workforce exceeding one million, Bengaluru stands out among the world’s foremost technology centers out of 115 markets evaluated. The report categorizes markets into Powerhouse, Established, or Emerging based on factors like talent size, competitiveness, and cost. Bengaluru takes the lead in India for artificial intelligence (AI) talent and is becoming a strong contender against tech hubs in the United States (US). From 2018 to 2023, the tech job market in the city expanded by 12%, bolstered by a dynamic startup ecosystem featuring 28 unicorns and significant investments in AI, data science, and product engineering. A notable 75.5% of Bengaluru’s population is of working age, positioning it fourth among the top 12 hubs and ensuring a steady talent supply. In 2024, Bengaluru attracted 140 venture capital (VC) deals totaling Rs. 28,188.6 crore (around US$ 3.3 billion), with 34 specifically targeting AI. The city enjoys advantages from premier educational institutions and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) that establish essential operations locally. Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and Mumbai also rank as significant innovation centers. In 2024, Delhi-NCR completed 183 VC transactions amounting to Rs. 16,229.8 crore (US$ 1.9 billion), with 42 focused on AI, while Mumbai raised Rs. 41,855.8 crore (US$ 4.9 billion) through 167 deals, solidifying its status as one of India’s most affluent regions. Emerging cities like Ahmedabad and Jaipur are gaining traction, aided by projects such as GIFT City in Ahmedabad, which is projected to accommodate 550 firms employing more than 20,000 individuals.