Costa Rica Strengthens Its Position as a Hub for Global Capability Centers (GCCs)

• GCCs help companies attract skilled talent, create high-value jobs and strengthen local economies.
• TransUnion was among the first companies to establish a Global Capability Center in Costa Rica in 2022 and today employs approximately 800 people in the country.

Costa Rica continues to offer ideal conditions for establishing centers of excellence. Over the years, the country has attracted a variety of service delivery models, including Shared Services Centers (SSCs) and Global Capability Centers (GCCs), each contributing to the development and diversification of its business services ecosystem. These centers enable multinational companies to strengthen operations, build strategic capabilities, foster innovation and enhance process quality while optimizing responsiveness to clients across time zones — a key element of the global follow-the-sun model that supports continuous collaboration and service delivery.

Shared Services Centers are designed to centralize and standardize operational functions — such as finance, human resources or IT — to increase efficiency and reduce costs. Global Capability Centers, like the one TransUnion operates in Costa Rica, operate like a microcosm of the enterprise, designed to create value and drive innovation, focusing on specialized capabilities such as engineering, analytics, automation, and digital transformation. Each model plays a distinct role within global operating strategies, supporting organizations in different ways depending on their goals and business needs.

A study by Information Services Group (ISG) reveals that while cost benefits and productivity remain key drivers for investment in GCCs, their true value goes far beyond operational efficiency. In fact, 43% of respondents identified differentiation and market positioning as the main benefits, while 35% pointed to skilled talent and the expansion of strategic capabilities.

These findings demonstrate that GCCs not only streamline processes but also reshape global business models — giving organizations agility, insight and a smarter way to respond to evolving markets.

Costa Rica: a Thriving Ecosystem for Global Capability Centers

The combination of bilingual talent, political stability, advanced technological infrastructure, and a solid free-trade zone framework has made Costa Rica one of the most attractive destinations for Global Capability Centers. Over the past decade, the country has evolved from a hub for shared services to a strategic base for innovation, analytics, and digital transformation.

TransUnion is a clear example of this evolution. Since opening its Global Capability Center in 2022, the GCC’s remit has expanded from operations focused roles to highly specialized capabilities in technology, data analytics and digital transformation.

Costa Rica was selected as a destination for one of TransUnion’s GCCs because of its highly skilled talent, macroeconomic stability and innovation-driven environment. The country’s multilingual workforce, with strong expertise in technology, data analytics, finance and business process management, enables efficient and agile global operations aligned with the company’s transformation and location strategy. In addition, Costa Rica’s hybrid work model and advanced digital infrastructure allow professionals across the country to participate, further expanding access to talent and reinforcing TransUnion’s regional presence.

Much of this success reflects the strength of Costa Rica’s investment ecosystem. The country’s extensive network of free trade agreements and investment regimes has created a competitive and trusted business environment. According to CINDE, Costa Rica is already home to more than 150 Shared Services Centers. The next chapter can focus on expanding to GCCs that leverage economies of scale and global knowledge networks to create new value and long-term impact.

Globally, India leads this model with more than 1,700 Global Capability Centers — nearly half of the world’s total — generating an estimated $64.6 billion in revenue and employing over 1.9 million people in FY2024, according to the Zinnov–NASSCOM India GCC Landscape Report: The 5 Year Journey. In this context, Costa Rica continues to strengthen its position as a prominent regional player, recognized for its global talent and specialized expertise.

TransUnion: a Success Story in the New Global Paradigm

TransUnion was among the pioneers in establishing a Global Capability Center (GCC) in Costa Rica. Today, the company employs nearly 800 people, with about 20% working outside the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM), contributing to job creation and regional economic development. The company’s model promotes flexibility, continuous learning and collaborative innovation, directly contributing to the development of Costa Rican talent.

“At TransUnion, we foster a culture of excellence powered by our people, where learning and innovation are part of everyday life. Through our commitment to a Workforce for Good, we regularly host experiential development programs that not only embed ongoing learning and professional growth into our culture but also empower our teams to create meaningful impact for customers and communities worldwide,” mentioned Bryan Castillo, Head of the Global Capability Center in Costa Rica.

About TransUnion Costa Rica (NYSE:TRU)

TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing an actionable picture of each person, stewarded with care, so they can be reliably represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good®. TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunities, great experiences, and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people in more than 30 countries.

TransUnion's Global Capability Centers (GCCs) enable a global operating model with robust scale and scope, improving efficiency and effectiveness whilst strengthening operational resilience and augmenting our existing service offering to clients and consumers.

In Costa Rica, our GCC leverages local talent to deliver TransUnion’s core capabilities and support global operations with scale and speed. We’re creating opportunities across a range of skills such as contact center, business process management, technology support and data analytics roles, among others, while expanding time-zone and language coverage, and ultimately enabling thriving economies around the world.

For more information, visit https://www.transunioncentralamerica.com/gcc