Pune has received a massive boost on the international scale with Google announcing they will open an office in the city soon. Google is yet another among the MAANG (the acronym for technology’s Big Five – Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google) to enter the city. Although Google has offices in four other cities in India, what does this news mean for Pune? And what factors make Pune the ideal choice over several other Indian cities? Here’s all you need to know!
The News About Google’s Pune Office
Although the deal for Google to operate out of Pune is a done deal, speculation is rife on its office location. Some industry insiders are quoted saying that it would be in the Balewadi area of Pune. Yet, the press statement given earlier this year by Anil Bhansali, vice-president of Cloud Engineering India, mentioned only that the company will be starting its operations in Pune by the second half of 2022. (However, January 2023 now seems to be a more realistic date.) The first Googlers in Pune will belong to the Cloud Product Engineering, Technical Support and Global Delivery Center operations teams. According to Anil Bhansali, “these teams will help build advanced enterprise cloud technologies in collaboration with global engineering teams, provide real-time technical advice, and deliver product and implementation expertise that customers turn to Google Cloud for as their trusted partner in their digital transformation journey.”
While the news may have come as a surprise to some, Pune already has offices of multi-national technology companies such as Microsoft, IBM, Sony, Samsung and other international brands. However, the news of Google setting up offices in Pune has become a significant talking point in business circles. Naturally, this news has also highlighted the city on a global scale as a top choice for technology companies and startups. In fact, the startup ecosystem of Pune is ranked at number 90 globally, showing an increase of 14 spots since 2021. Whether you’re an established tech enterprise or a nascent startup, if you want to set up a base of operations in India, Pune has to be one of your top choices!
What Makes Pune A Prime Location For Technology Companies Such As MAANG?
While Pune has always been a hotbed for technology companies, Google’s arrival opens up the possibility of other top brands and startups coming to the city. Here are some key factors that make Pune so lucrative:
Pune Has Always Been A Startup Hub
The city of Pune has an entrepreneurial spirit that may be hard to find in other Indian cities. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Pune had over 3,200 active startups in 2021. Venture capital firms from around the world have also kept a keen eye on startups in Pune. Startups in the city received about USD 538 million in total investment in 2022, of which USD 213 million was raised by recently minted unicorns. Additionally, Pune’s startups received more than four times as much funding (USD 845 million) during the first three quarters of 2021 as opposed to the same period in 2020. (USD 189 million). Across all Indian cities, Pune had the highest year-over-year growth in startup venture funding.
Pune Is A Productive Location For A Variety Of Technology companies
Pune is home to several IT hubs, which house over 200 software companies and more than 35 IT organizations. Hence, technology companies can find the right infrastructure and commercial spaces for operations in Pune. Moreover, diverse technological startups are based in Pune, allowing entrepreneurs to innovate, collaborate and find funding across the city.
Pune Enables Access To Tech Talent
Pune (and Hyderabad) were the most preferred Indian cities for technology professionals, according to a survey by Catenon, a data-driven recruitment company. Based on parameters such as IT infrastructure, traffic congestion, quality of life, etc., Pune is the top choice for technology companies to acquire tech talent. Also, given the lower competition in hiring due to the ever-available supply of tech workers, Pune has ranked 4th among Indian cities for establishing a startup in 2021.
Pune Is Home To Top-notch Education Institutes And Colleges
Technology companies prefer cities that can provide a constant churn of educated, technologically-savvy talent. Pune, known as the Oxford of the East, boasts of excellent academic and research institutions. In fact, the city has the second-oldest engineering college in the country, College of Engineering, Pune, which was established in 1853. Naturally, the city’s educational institutes can support the expanding technology ecosystem by offering a steady stream of future-ready graduates.
Pune Boasts Excellent Connectivity And Accessibility
Pune’s proximity to Mumbai, the financial capital of the country, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, an automotive, IT and manufacturing hub, makes it a prime location for every technology business. The city offers a modern infrastructure needed by companies in the form of IT parks and SEZs (Special Economic Zones). Moreover, with the Metro project underway, accessibility for IT professionals across the city will be improved. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has also developed an Electric Vehicle cell to address the challenges on electric charging infrastructure, with Pune poised to become a leader in EV adoption.
To Wrap It Up
Pune has long been regarded as one of the best cities in India for software and IT startups. However, Google’s entry will be a game-changer as it may lead the rest of the MAANG companies to follow suit. Pune must be a top consideration for every technology business looking to expand to India as growth and innovation in Pune’s technological infrastructure are inevitable. With multinational companies such as Google opening offices in Pune, there will be more competition for commercial spaces and talent acquisition soon. That’s why we believe the time is ripe to set up your next office in Pune!
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