Databricks is investing huge in India’s AI momentum. The San Francisco-based data analytics powerhouse has unveiled a $250 million investment plan aimed at strengthening its presence in the country. With this move, the company is looking to tap into India’s booming AI talent pool and position the region as a strategic hub for global growth.
The fresh investment will boost Databricks’ headcount in India by over 50%, taking the local team past 750 employees by the end of the fiscal year. Much of that growth will be driven by a major ramp-up in R&D, as the company prepares to onboard more than 100 engineers at its new research center in Bengaluru.
Vinod Marur, SVP of Engineering at Databricks, emphasized that India is central to the company’s innovation plans. He noted that Bengaluru’s engineering talent makes it the ideal location to scale advanced AI and data capabilities.
Beyond hiring, Databricks is also rolling out a large-scale upskilling initiative—the Data + AI Academy. Through this program, the company plans to train 500,000 partners and customers across India over the next three years, equipping them with advanced skills in data analytics and artificial intelligence. This move underscores Databricks’ ambition to not only expand its footprint, but also shape the future AI workforce in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets.
The India expansion follows Databricks’ blockbuster $10 billion Series J funding round, which pushed its valuation to $62 billion. That round saw backing from top-tier investors including Thrive Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global, GIC, Insight Partners, and WCM Investment Management.
Founded in 2013 by CEO Ali Ghodsi and a team of Berkeley researchers, Databricks has emerged as a key player in the AI and data infrastructure space. Its unified platform supports data engineering, machine learning, and analytics—powering operations for more than 5,000 companies globally. Major brands like H&M, Comcast, Nationwide, and Condé Nast rely on Databricks to drive AI-enabled insights and automation.
As demand for AI infrastructure continues to rise, Databricks has posted over 60% year-over-year growth and expects to hit positive free cash flow for the first time this quarter. Part of the latest funding will go toward enhancing AI product development, global expansion, and providing employee liquidity, including covering tax obligations.
With India now at the heart of its innovation roadmap, Databricks is making it clear: the future of AI is global—and Bengaluru is leading the charge.
