More small and mid-sized GCCs prefer co-working spaces for flexibility and asset-light model
As per a recent report from UnearthInsights, the total addressable market for GCC workplaces in India stood at $4.32 billion in 2025 and the country is adding 80 to 120 thousand new GCC seats annually
With India’s Global Capability Centre(GCC) ecosystem growing rapidly year after year, so has the demand for high quality office spaces to house these global clients. With long-term leases in large tech parks being impractical for small and mid-sized GCCs, co-working spaces have emerged as a suitable and more flexible alternative.
Industry players and analysts told businessline that co-working spaces is finding more takers from the GCC world as smaller GCCs are starting their journey in India by setting up in such shared spaces. As they scale, the GCCs either move to larger managed office spaces.
Explaining the growth, Rishi Das, Co-founder & CEO, says that GCCs value ease of doing business, flexibility to scale and minimal capex commitment. “Unlike traditional leases that are rigid and transactional, co-working spaces come with features like plug & play workspaces, customized solutions and tech enabled workspace management services, allowing GCCs to focus on their core operations while the entire workspace management is taken care of.”
IndiQube has over 300 GCC clients, which accounts for over 40 per cent of its overall portfolio, Das added. Some of the company’s clients include Navex, GEP, Visionet and Perforce.
According to Gaurav Vasu, Founder and CEO, UnearthInsight, in the previous decade, less than 5-10% of GCCs would typically use a co-working or a co-branded working space. However, in the last 5-10 years, as more mid-market and smaller GCCs have entered the country, about 20-30 per cent of GCCs are choosing co-working spaces.
As per a recent report from UnearthInsights, the total addressable market for GCC workplaces in India stood at $4.32 billion in 2025 and the country is adding 80 to 120 thousand new GCC seats annually
Amit Ramani, Chairman & MD, Awfis Space Solution Ltd says that co-working spaces offer agile speedy solutions to workplace needs which are crucial for GCCs who scale in weeks, not months. He added that the asset-light, opex-driven spaces and premium, tech-enabled, sustainable offices now define the GCC workplace strategy.
Awfis’ clientele includes GCCs and multinational corporations like companies like Meltwater and ABC Fitness. The company has a presence in 18 cities which includes nine Tier-2 locations.
Not Just a Stop-Gap
As GCCs start to scale its operations and expand its workforce, it would not be wrong to assume that they would move to larger tech parks. However, founders believe GCCs are not viewing coworking spaces merely as a short-term solution but are increasingly weaving them into their long-term strategy.
“Several of our GCC clients have grown substantially with IndiQube over the years. For example, Enphase Energy in Bangalore began with 67,000 sq ft of office space and within 4 years, they expanded to 143,000 sq ft. Moreover, nearly 20 per cent of our portfolio is housed within tech parks, providing GCCs with a smooth entry point into the flexible workspace environment while retaining the advantages of a tech park.” Das said
Ramani mentions that while GCCs start with co-working as a quick entry strategy, they are increasingly building a long-term presence in flexible spaces. In fact, several mid-sized GCCs have expanded multiple cities with co working centres
According to Vasu, small to mid-size organizations with slower global growth tend to remain in co-working or managed office spaces, valuing the convenience and efficiency of asset-light, turnkey solutions. In contrast, fast-growing companies naturally progress from small co-working setups to larger managed offices as their scale increases.
Customized spaces
Das mentions that GCCs are uncompromising when it comes to compliance, security, and employee experience. “Facilities such as cafeterias, gyms, gaming zones, and wellness spaces are now considered essential for attracting and retaining top talent, rather than being add-ons” he added.
According to Ramani, GCCS increasingly demand collaborative zones, innovation labs, wellness areas, and ESG-certified Grade-A spaces.On the technology side he added, “GCCs require AI-ready and cloud-compatible infrastructure, global-standard conferencing systems, and sensor-based tools for monitoring occupancy, energy, and air quality.
Published on August 19, 2025