<p>Bengaluru: Bengaluru leads with 30 per cent of the planned hiring in tech and e-commerce startups, followed by Mumbai at 25 per cent and Chennai at 23 per cent for the first half of the ongoing fiscal year 2026 (April–September), according to a report by staffing firm TeamLease out on Monday. These cities are key hubs for startups owing to their talent base and established ecosystems. </p>.<p>According to the report, the Net Employment Change (NEC) for the e-commerce and tech startup sector is projected at 6.9 per cent for the first half. However, there is a steep cooldown in overall net hiring from 6.3 per cent and 7.1 per cent in fiscal year 2025 to 2.8 per cent in fiscal year 2026 reflecting broader headwinds such as funding winter in startups, slowdown in IT services deal cycles, China+1 execution delays, and fewer unicorn-scale expansions. </p>.<p>The tech and e-commerce sectors are the star performers and continue to rank among the top three in job creation, alongside the electric vehicle (7.1 per cent) and automotive industries (6.9 per cent). </p>.<p>The report also says that 69 per cent of employers in these sectors plan to increase their workforce on the back of a renewed momentum in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven product scaling, growth marketing among other factors.</p>.<p>In the e-commerce and tech startup sectors, hiring is centred around high-impact technology and product roles. Companies are looking to hire more engineers, product managers, and full-stack developers to meet the evolving digital consumption patterns. </p>.<p>For example, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven product scaling will ensure personalised, efficient, and scalable customer experiences and operations, also helping target the right customers.</p>.<p>“Despite a cautious macro environment, we’re witnessing a clear shift in how India’s tech startups approach growth and talent. This is reflected in the way companies are hiring leaner teams with sharper skill sets, especially in product and digital roles that directly impact business outcomes,” said Kartik Narayan, CEO-Staffing, TeamLease Services.</p>.<p>The resurgence in hiring also signals a breakdown of the funding freeze which lasted from early 2022 through 2024, primarily due to global economic uncertainty and cautious investor sentiment. The recovery in funding in 2025 is attributed to improved investor confidence, government support as well as sectoral growth. </p>.<p>While on a sectoral basis manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure have seen a hiring slowdown, media & entertainment and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) remain the weakest sectors and under pressure. </p>.<p>The report has been drawn from over 1,263 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Bengaluru leads with 30 per cent of the planned hiring in tech and e-commerce startups, followed by Mumbai at 25 per cent and Chennai at 23 per cent for the first half of the ongoing fiscal year 2026 (April–September), according to a report by staffing firm TeamLease out on Monday. These cities are key hubs for startups owing to their talent base and established ecosystems. </p>.<p>According to the report, the Net Employment Change (NEC) for the e-commerce and tech startup sector is projected at 6.9 per cent for the first half. However, there is a steep cooldown in overall net hiring from 6.3 per cent and 7.1 per cent in fiscal year 2025 to 2.8 per cent in fiscal year 2026 reflecting broader headwinds such as funding winter in startups, slowdown in IT services deal cycles, China+1 execution delays, and fewer unicorn-scale expansions. </p>.<p>The tech and e-commerce sectors are the star performers and continue to rank among the top three in job creation, alongside the electric vehicle (7.1 per cent) and automotive industries (6.9 per cent). </p>.<p>The report also says that 69 per cent of employers in these sectors plan to increase their workforce on the back of a renewed momentum in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven product scaling, growth marketing among other factors.</p>.<p>In the e-commerce and tech startup sectors, hiring is centred around high-impact technology and product roles. Companies are looking to hire more engineers, product managers, and full-stack developers to meet the evolving digital consumption patterns. </p>.<p>For example, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven product scaling will ensure personalised, efficient, and scalable customer experiences and operations, also helping target the right customers.</p>.<p>“Despite a cautious macro environment, we’re witnessing a clear shift in how India’s tech startups approach growth and talent. This is reflected in the way companies are hiring leaner teams with sharper skill sets, especially in product and digital roles that directly impact business outcomes,” said Kartik Narayan, CEO-Staffing, TeamLease Services.</p>.<p>The resurgence in hiring also signals a breakdown of the funding freeze which lasted from early 2022 through 2024, primarily due to global economic uncertainty and cautious investor sentiment. The recovery in funding in 2025 is attributed to improved investor confidence, government support as well as sectoral growth. </p>.<p>While on a sectoral basis manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure have seen a hiring slowdown, media & entertainment and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) remain the weakest sectors and under pressure. </p>.<p>The report has been drawn from over 1,263 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities.</p>
