Karnataka is looking to further strengthen its position as India’s leading destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), with the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) and GoodWorks Group entering into a strategic partnership to attract fresh investments and support the establishment of new GCCs in the state.
The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 6, focusing on investment promotion, international outreach, policy support, talent development and ecosystem building for global companies looking to establish or expand their operations in Karnataka.
Target of 50 New GCCs
Under the partnership, KDEM and GoodWorks Group aim to facilitate the establishment of 50 new GCCs in Karnataka and attract investment commitments of more than ₹5,000 crore.
An economic impact assessment by GoodWorks Group estimates that the initiative could generate more than 62,500 direct and indirect jobs, create around ₹2,250 crore in annual salaries, and drive the absorption of approximately 1.25 million square feet of commercial real estate over the coming years.
Focus on Global Investment and Market Outreach
The partnership will combine KDEM’s investment promotion and ecosystem-building capabilities with GoodWorks Group’s enterprise network and Sansovi GCC-as-a-Service platform.
The organisations will jointly engage with potential investors and conduct sector-focused roundtables and international business delegations to showcase Karnataka‘s capabilities to global enterprises.
The outreach will focus on major markets including North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
Support for Emerging Technology Sectors
The initiative is expected to focus on high-value sectors such as artificial intelligence, engineering, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and semiconductors.
The two organisations will also work on industry research, policy implementation and stronger collaboration between industry and academic institutions.
Specialised ecosystem programmes, including virtual centres of excellence for strategic sectors, are also planned to bring together government, academia, industry and global companies.
Focus on Jobs and Talent Development
Workforce development will be another key area of the collaboration. According to GoodWorks Group, the initiative could create more than 12,500 direct high-skilled jobs along with around 50,000 indirect jobs across supporting industries.
The partnership is aimed at developing a stronger talent ecosystem capable of meeting the changing requirements of global companies operating from Karnataka.
Karnataka Strengthens GCC Leadership
Karnataka currently hosts more than 1,100 GCCs, accounting for around 40% of India’s GCC base, according to the figures shared by GoodWorks Group. The sector contributes more than $22 billion in economic output to the state.
With competition increasing from states such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka has been pursuing new investments and partnerships to maintain its position as a preferred GCC destination.
Building the Next Phase of GCC Growth
KDEM CEO Sanjeev Gupta said the partnership brings together complementary strengths to enhance Karnataka’s proposition for global enterprises and accelerate the state’s next phase of GCC-led growth.
GoodWorks Group Co-Founder Vishwas Mudagal said Karnataka has the potential to play a leading role in the next phase of India’s GCC growth.
Also Read | AI and the Next Wave of IT Transformation
The partnership is expected to strengthen Karnataka’s global investment outreach while supporting new GCCs, high-skilled employment, talent development and the broader digital economy of the state.