Bengaluru Recognized as Global Tech Powerhouse, Rivals San Francisco and Tokyo

Bengaluru is listed among the world's top 12 technology centers by being put in the league of international leaders like New York, San Francisco, and London, a new report issued on Tuesday by real estate consultancy firm CBRE states.

According to the findings, Bengaluru is the biggest tech talent marketplace in the Asia-Pacific region, rivaled by cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. With its over 1 million-strong tech workforce, Bengaluru is a key player in the global innovation and technology sector.

The report names Bengaluru among other top global tech centers such as Beijing, Boston, London, New York Metro, Paris, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, and Toronto.

One of the key strengths of the report is Bengaluru's artificial intelligence talent. It is where India has its greatest number of AI professionals, equal to more established AI centers like New York and San Francisco in the United States.

Demographically, Bengaluru is 4th among the top 12 cities in terms of working-age population proportion, with 75.5% of its population belonging to this age bracket. During 2019-2024, the city witnessed a 2.4% rise in this category, one of the highest in the world.

Its vibrant startup ecosystem, with 28 unicorns, has been supported by investor-friendly policies and robust institutional support. Top educational institutions in the city and a high concentration of Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which are responsible for innovation in AI, data science, engineering, and product development, have been its growth drivers.

This ecosystem has seen a 12% rise in tech hiring between 2018 and 2023, following world trends. The city's consistent growth, rich talent pool, and growing tech ecosystem have also attracted significant venture capital interest. Bengaluru alone hosted 140 VC deals totaling $3.3 billion in 2024, of which 34 were in the area of AI—firmly establishing it as a worldwide AI innovation hub.

CBRE further referred to the increasing momentum in other cities of India. Delhi-NCR, for example, bagged 183 VC deals worth $1.9 billion in 2024, of which 42 were AI-focused. The region now has 15 unicorns and 16 IPOs, indicating a robust innovation pipeline. Mumbai was closely behind with 167 deals worth $4.9 billion, of which 26 were in AI, supported by seven unicorns and 47 IPOs—making it one of India's capital-abundant tech hubs.

Emerging technology hubs such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur also commanded attention in the report. Ahmedabad is witnessing fast software, IT services, and fintech expansion, with its advancement supported by initiatives such as the 22 million sq. ft. Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), which will accommodate 550 companies and hire more than 20,000 individuals.

Jaipur, on the other hand, is luring startups as well as local IT services firms with its robust educational infrastructure and affordability factor, particularly as companies look for more affordable options to the larger ones such as Delhi-NCR.

The report unequivocally establishes India's increasing dominance of the global tech landscape—with Bengaluru at the forefront.