Karnataka to remain driving force behind India's GCC Industry: IT Minister Priyank Kharge

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 15 :Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge said that the state has been the leading force in India's digital revolution, with (Global Capability Centres) GCCs serving as a key driver for the state's growth trajectory.
The Government of Karnataka and Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), in collaboration with ANSR, launched Karnataka GCC (Global Capability Centres) Landscape Report on Monday.
The report was launched by IT Minister Priyank Kharge.
"Karnataka has been the leading force in India's digital revolution, with GCCs serving as a key driver for the state's growth trajectory. We are implementing strategic interventions and facilitators to establish a resilient business and operational ecosystem for GCCs. We are coming up with the first GCC Policy in India to better support the GCCs looking to start operations in Karnataka. I am confident that the insights from this report will provide a clear and enlightening statement of our accomplishments so far and outline our future plans to benefit the GCC industry," said Priyank Kharge.
This comprehensive report delves into the state's thriving GCC ecosystem, highlighting its growth trajectory, impact, and future potential.
The event at Vidhana Soudha brought together top GCC leaders and industry veterans, who engaged in dynamic discussions on strategies to solidify and elevate Karnataka's status as the premier destination for GCCs.
Karnataka stands at a pivotal juncture in the GCC/IT/ITeS industry, with a thriving ecosystem that extends far beyond Bengaluru.
The Government of Karnataka has introduced incentives, regulations, and new policies supporting GCC setups in both Bengaluru and emerging tech clusters such as Mysuru, Hubbali, and Mangaluru. These measures are poised to attract the next wave of enterprises aiming to enhance their digital capabilities.
"GCCs are currently in a phase characterized by an accelerated, qualitative leap forward, with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and strategic alignment with enterprise objectives. They strive to cultivate exceptional talent pools and foster impactful partnerships within the ecosystem to drive unprecedented organizational success -- Karnataka offers the perfect environment for both. We are excited to partner with KDEM on this insightful report. Karnataka's commitment to innovation and talent development makes it an ideal location for enterprises seeking to establish or expand their GCCs. The report provides valuable insights for organizations looking to leverage Karnataka's strengths and drive exceptional business outcomes." ," said Lalit Ahuja, Founder & CEO, ANSR.
Talking from the state's perspective, Dr Ekroop Caur, Secretary of the Department of Electronics, IT, BT said, "Karnataka has always been a leader in introducing industry-focused, sector-specific policies. From the first IT policy to the recently released AVGC policy, the state has consistently extending its support to the industry. The upcoming GCC policy, currently being drafted with the support of industry leaders, academicians, entrepreneurs, and various other stakeholders, will help retain Karnataka's leading position in the global GCC ecosystem. This report validates our standpoint and showcases Karnataka's prowess in attracting GCCs to the state."
Highlighting the Karnataka ecosystem, Prashanth Prakash, Partner, Accel Partners and Chairman of Karnataka Start-up Vision Group said, "Karnataka is the start-up capital of India. Its leading role in the GCC ecosystem complements its position in the start-up ecosystem, strengthening the relationship between start-ups and GCCs and promoting radical innovation. Today's GCCs are eager to collaborate with novel start-ups to enable R&D. This report highlights Karnataka's existing GCC ecosystem and helps identify sectors poised for rapid growth over the next few years. By aligning our start-up growth with the showcased GCC growth, Karnataka has the potential to achieve remarkable success."
"Bengaluru is considered the leading destination for GCCs in Karnataka. However, I am delighted to share that regions beyond Bengaluru are proving to be just as attractive spaces for GCCs, with the Mangaluru, Mysuru, and Hubballi-Belagavi-Dharwad regions already being home to over 15 GCCs. These clusters are growing rapidly, and the increasing presence of GCCs is a testament to the plethora of opportunities these regions possess," said BV Naidu, Chairman of KDEM.
The key takeaways from the report suggest that Bengaluru remains the hotspot for GCC buildouts, a hub for startups, and the preferred choice for platform engineering, owing to the access of 25 percent of India's digital talent.
It also stated that 60 percent of Forbes Global 2000 companies who have GCCs in India have their centers set up in Bengaluru.
According to the GCC Report, Karnataka is home to approximately 570 GCCs in India and leads the GCC talent market by a large margin. It's also the hotspot for enterprises building digital capabilities, software product innovation and platform engineering.
As per the report, Karnataka is home to 26,000+ active startups, of which more than 50 percent comprise of tech start-ups.
Bengaluru is the Unicorn capital of India, with around 40 percent of Unicorns located in the city.