The Standard Opens Bengaluru Hub, eBay Deepens India Bet
The centres are being built to support core functions across technology, finance, product development and analytics.
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Karnataka is strengthening Bengaluru’s position as India’s leading Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub, with fresh investments from multinational companies in insurance, e-commerce, retail and industrial automation.
State information technology and biotechnology minister Priyank Kharge said The Standard India has launched a GCC in Bengaluru that will support technology, finance, asset management and HR.
He described the move as another sign that global companies continue to see Karnataka as a strategic base for their operations.
The development adds a Bengaluru chapter to The Standard’s broader India build-out.
The US insurance and retirement provider announced its India GCC in November last year under StanCorp Global Services India Pvt. Ltd, with Mohua Sengupta appointed country head to oversee operations across Bengaluru and Pune.
The company said at the time that it would begin with 175 employees transitioning from Allstate India and expand capabilities in technology, operations and innovation.
“Met with the leadership team of The Standard India, an insurance and financial services company, who shared details of the launch of their Global Capability Center in Bengaluru,” Kharge said in a LinkedIn post. “The new GCC will support global functions across technology, finance, asset management and HR and is committed to contribute to talent development and job creation in the state.”
He added, “Great to see global firms continue to choose Karnataka as a strategic base for their global operations.”
Kharge also said eBay is preparing to expand its Bengaluru operations.
The company opened its Bengaluru innovation centre in August last year as its first GCC in India, choosing the city for its AI, engineering and analytics talent base.
“Met eBay Bengaluru’s GCC leadership, who apprised me of their plans to expand their operations in Bengaluru,” he said. “The eBay Bengaluru Innovation Centre serves as a key hub for product development and engineering and they are now looking to scale their operations in the city.”
He further emphasized the strategic importance of the centre, adding, “Their Bengaluru GCC, which is eBay’s first and only GCC in India, reflects their growing confidence in Karnataka’s GCC growth story.”
The broader momentum is visible across sectors. Global retailers are increasingly bringing core digital capabilities closer to their talent hubs in India. Abercrombie & Fitch launched a new GCC in Bengaluru in early April, aimed at strengthening its global technology and analytics backbone.
The centre will focus on capabilities across data science, artificial intelligence, engineering, and omnichannel retail operations. It is expected to work closely with global teams to accelerate innovation, enhance customer engagement, and support decision-making through advanced analytics.
For Abercrombie & Fitch, the Bengaluru hub is expected to support functions spanning customer experience, merchandising analytics, supply chain optimisation, and enterprise platforms, positioning it as a key pillar in its long-term digital growth strategy.
Industrial automation firms are also joining the wave. Festo, a century-old German player with operations across 35 industries, opened its first-ever GCC in Bengaluru in February 2026. The company, which reported revenues of over €3.5 billion in 2025, is looking to leverage the centre to boost its global Industry 4.0, automation, and smart manufacturing initiatives.
The Bengaluru GCC will act as a strategic hub for advanced engineering, digital solutions, software development, data analytics, and process excellence, supporting Festo’s global operations.
“Our GCC in Bengaluru is aligned with Festo’s vision of automation for a sustainable future, the centre will play a significant role to drive global R&D initiatives while fostering collaboration with India’s rich technology and engineering talent pool,” said Ravi Sastry, Managing Director, Festo India.
Festo’s India journey dates back to 1963, with its incorporated presence established in 1986. Today, the company employs over 1,000 people in the country and works with more than 25,000 customers, institutions, and industry partners, contributing to industrial automation, technical education, and Industry 4.0 readiness.
