Build-Operate-Transfer Model

The Build-Operate-Transfer model, often abbreviated as BOT, is an offshore expansion approach in which a specialized provider first builds and operates a dedicated team or facility on behalf of a client company, then transfers full ownership and control of that operation to the client once it reaches an agreed level of maturity. This model is designed to reduce the risk and complexity a company would otherwise face trying to establish an offshore presence entirely on its own from day one. During the build and operate phases, the provider handles recruitment, onboarding, infrastructure, and day-to-day management of the offshore team, while the client company directs the actual work and strategic priorities. This allows the client to test the viability of the offshore location, evaluate talent quality, and refine its operating model before committing to the significant investment required to establish its own legal entity. Once the transfer phase is reached, the client company typically takes over direct ownership of the team, either by setting up its own subsidiary or continuing under an Employer of Record arrangement if it prefers to avoid establishing a local entity altogether. The BOT model is particularly popular for building Global Capability Centers and large-scale offshore technical teams.