Mumbai: Start-ups are on a hiring spree. While they continue to hire the traditional way—either through campus placements or hiring agencies—they are fast adopting a new route to gain access to talent called acqui-hiring. This is a process that has been in vogue in Silicon Valley. Acqui-hiring is the process by which one company acquires another to gain…

MUMBAI: HCL Technologies has won a contract to transform the operations of UK football club Manchester United, a deal that will see the Indian IT player create an innovation lab in the iconic Old Trafford Stadium.

Under this deal, HCL and Manchester United will work together to explore and unveil a number of digital initiatives to transform the experience of the club’s 659 million global followers, ManU said in a release on its website.

“It is a very exciting prospect and the possibilities of what we can achieve are endless. Through digital transformation we hope to change the way in which our fans experience and interact with Manchester United. Together with HCL we aim to develop innovative ways to connect with our fans around the world, providing a blueprint for other global organisations,” Richard Arnold, Group Managing Director at Manchester United, said the statement.

Technology firms are increasingly tying up with sports franchises, a move that boosts their visibility. Last year, Spanish football club Real Madrid signed a four-year business, technology and marketing partnership with Microsoft. Media reports pegged that deal size at about $30 million. No other Indian IT company has as yet signed up with a sporting franchise.

The innovation lab, which HCL calls a ‘united xperience lab’ will be created at the at Old Trafford.

“This partnership is unique and creates value not just for Manchester United and its fans, but also for all forward-looking organizations across the world,” said Anant Gupta, President & CEO, HCL Technologies.