Tech firm C1 expands GICC in Hyderabad, plans major hiring

U.S. technology firm C1, formerly ConvergeOne, announced on Monday the expansion of its Global Innovation and Capabilities Centre (GICC) in Hyderabad. The expansion, inaugurated by Chief Transformation Officer Tamara Shaw, will necessitate additional office space as the company plans to ramp up hiring.

Less than a year after opening, the GICC has completed its expansion, now occupying a total of 40,000 sq ft. "We have nearly 600 employees in India, with about 60% of them in Hyderabad," said Chandra Boddoju, MD and Country Head of India Operations, during a media interaction. The company aims to increase its headcount in India to 1,000 by November 2025, with Hyderabad continuing to host 60% of the employees, potentially requiring more space.

Operating in three shifts, the GICC serves approximately 6,000 clients, primarily in the U.S., across various industries. The expansion includes a new research and development lab and an experience center to showcase innovative products, including the newly launched GenAI-powered assistant, C1 Elly.

Tamara Shaw highlighted the expansion as a significant step in C1's growth, enabling the company to showcase cutting-edge solutions and provide differentiated customer experiences and collaboration tools. "By utilizing the talent and expertise in India, we will be well-positioned to accelerate our global operations and deliver exceptional value to our customers," she said.

Addressing the impact of C1's recent financial restructuring and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Shaw assured that the strategy for the GICC remains unchanged, emphasizing the facility's crucial role in the company's growth and investment plans.

C1 is set to launch its new growth strategy, Converge1 2.0, in the next 30-45 days, focusing on team development and the expansion of customers and products. "Our investors and Board are behind us," Shaw added.

Senior Vice President of Managed Services, Eric Walter, described the GICC as a strategic investment for supporting C1’s customers, fostering innovation, and enhancing growth enablement and capacity building.