How to take advantage of emerging remote tech talent hubs

When it comes to finding the best tech talent, many businesses look towards traditional industry hubs like San Francisco, London, and Berlin.

However, these cities are becoming increasingly saturated with competition, while the high salaries and living costs are restricting access for many smaller businesses. As a result, organizations need to be more savvy in their global recruiting approach — and be prepared to look beyond the status quo.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the oft-overlooked tech hubs that are emerging around the world, and explain how businesses in Singapore can leverage the talent there.

The shift to emerging tech hubs

According to Remote’s Tech Talent Report, recruitment patterns are heavily swayed towards well-known tech cities, with lesser-known hubs receiving far less interest. For instance, while 89% of employers consider hiring in London, only 18% look towards Kolkata. This disparity underscores the strategic advantage of targeting these emerging hubs where competition for talent is less fierce — but where the level of potential is just as promising.

The full report highlights 15 undervalued locations for tech talent, but to give businesses an idea, here are four locations from the report to keep an eye on:

Kolkata, India

Kolkata — recognized as an established tech hub within India — offers a massive pool of experienced engineers with comparatively low salary expectations.

How can businesses attract top talent here?

To attract top talent from Kolkata, employers can leverage benefits such as support for parental leave, which is not mandated in India. Offering such benefits can set your company apart and enhance your appeal to potential candidates.

Manila, Philippines

Manila has carved a niche as a haven for customer support professionals and a cost-effective center for process outsourcing. The city's low cost of living makes it an enticing option not only for local hires but also for highly skilled expatriates.

How can businesses attract top talent here?

Facilitating work rights in the region through remote employment services can streamline the hiring process and attract top-tier talent efficiently.

Ahmedabad, India

Although less advanced in competition compared to Kolkata, Ahmedabad is fast becoming a hotspot for tech recruitment, particularly for front-end engineers.

How can businesses attract top talent here?

The city offers very low salary costs, allowing international employers to create compelling offers that outpace local businesses. This strategy can be particularly effective in securing a growing pool of highly-skilled developers.

New Taipei City, Taiwan

New Taipei City boasts strong talent in the IT, cybersecurity, and health tech sectors. The government has stated an ambition to transform the city into Asia's answer to Silicon Valley, with a rich pocket of talent waiting to be tapped.

How can businesses attract top talent here?

Local regulations restrict working hours to no more than eight hours per day, which can be an advantage for companies offering flexible, asynchronous work environments — promoting productivity and job satisfaction.

Overcoming challenges in international hiring

Of course, for many Singaporean businesses, hiring abroad is not without its challenges. Language barriers, cultural differences, and the complexities of local labor laws are all significant hurdles.

However, these issues can be easily addressed — especially with the support of the right partners.

To leverage the masses of undiscovered talent in cities like Kolkata and Manila, you first need to establish an inclusive, remote-first culture in your organization. This involves measuring performance based on output rather than time spent, which can enable autonomy and boost productivity. You should also place a strong emphasis on public documentation and transparency, and avoid micromanagement. This fosters trust and efficiency across diverse teams.

In terms of attracting and retaining talent, you should develop and implement competitive, compliant benefits plans tailored to your team’s local and global needs. You can do this by partnering with an employer of record (EOR) provider like Remote, which has in-depth knowledge of local benefits expectations — and which allows you to cherry pick a highly competitive, localized package for your new hires.

Working with an EOR also simplifies your compliance and payroll processes. You can manage and pay all your international team members from one centralized platform, with the EOR ensuring you are fully compliant with all tax and labor laws. This reduces the risks associated with international hiring, and allows your business to focus on growing and innovating.

Winning the tech talent race

For Singaporean businesses, the race to secure the world’s best tech talent is a fierce one. But by tapping into emerging tech talent hubs and hiring remotely, you can obtain a significant strategic advantage.

By understanding the unique attributes of each hub and tailoring your recruitment and retention strategies accordingly, organizations can not only fill skill gaps efficiently: they can also enhance their competitive edge in the international arena. Embracing flexibility, cultural inclusivity, and strategic partnerships are key in navigating the complexities of global tech recruitment, and — with the support of partners like Remote — there’s nothing stopping you from taking your business to the next step.

To discover the full list of emerging tech talent hubs — and to learn how to attract the best talent there — read the full report.