Bengaluru has earned a coveted spot among the world’s top 12 tech powerhouses, according to a new report by real estate consultancy CBRE, joining the ranks of innovation giants such as San Francisco, New York, London, and Tokyo. With over 1 million tech professionals, the city leads the Asia-Pacific region in tech talent, sharing the spotlight with Beijing and Shanghai.
The report underscores Bengaluru’s fast-growing stature in artificial intelligence, ranking it alongside top U.S. hubs for AI talent. It boasts the highest number of AI professionals in India, cementing its position as a vital node in the global innovation ecosystem.
Demographically, Bengaluru stands strong with 75.5% of its population in the working-age group—fourth among the top 12 markets—and a notable 2.4% growth in this segment from 2019 to 2024. This growth, combined with the city’s 28 unicorns, supportive regulations, and a robust pipeline from leading universities and Global Capability Centres (GCCs), has created a thriving startup and tech environment.
From 2018 to 2023, tech employment in Bengaluru surged by 12%. The city secured $3.3 billion in venture capital across 140 deals in 2024 alone—including 34 AI-specific deals—making it a magnet for global investors and AI-focused innovation.
Beyond Bengaluru, the report spotlights emerging tech ecosystems in India. Delhi-NCR closed 183 VC deals worth $1.9 billion, including 42 in AI, while Mumbai attracted $4.9 billion across 167 deals. Ahmedabad and Jaipur also show strong promise—Ahmedabad with fintech growth and GIFT City developments, and Jaipur leveraging its education base and cost efficiency to draw startups and IT firms.
With a potent mix of talent, innovation, and investment, India’s cities—led by Bengaluru—are redefining the global technology map.
