George Mason University honours 22nd Century Technologies CEO Anil Sharma and wife Anupama for their contributions to global enterprise and innovation.
CHANDIGARH: In a major international recognition for the City Beautiful, Virginia-based George Mason University has named its premier entrepreneurship hub the “Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship” in honour of Chandigarh-born entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife Anupama Sharma.
Anil Sharma, who currently serves as the CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, has built a prominent career spanning public service in India to leading multi-million dollar federal technology acquisitions in the United States.
George Mason University, one of the top public research universities in the United States, is widely recognized for its programs in technology, public policy, research, and enterprise incubation.
Fostering Global Entrepreneurship and Research
The newly designated Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is designed to act as a collaborative hub connecting students, faculty members, aspiring founders, and corporate partners. The facility will drive practical research, mentor emerging startups, and nurture leadership across diverse commercial and technology sectors.
Reflecting on the milestone, Anil Sharma highlighted the importance of institutional support and community empowerment in fostering enterprise:
“Building a business taught me that success is never an individual achievement. People give you opportunities, believe in you and teach you, while communities create the circumstances for your growth. At some point, it becomes your responsibility to create those opportunities for others as well.”
Pioneering Chandigarh’s Early IT Infrastructure
Born into a modest family and raised alongside six siblings, Sharma completed his higher education at the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology before entering public service.
Between 1989 and 1997, he served as a Systems Analyst and became Chandigarh’s first District Informatics Officer at the National Informatics Centre (NIC). During his tenure, Sharma played a foundational role in:
- Establishing the first dedicated NIC district office in Chandigarh.
- Introducing modernized computerization and digital workflows across administrative departments in Punjab and Chandigarh.
- Laying the groundwork for early e-governance and public-sector digital adoption in the region.
Scaling 22nd Century Technologies and Global Operations
Sharma transitioned his technology-driven public administration experience into private enterprise, expanding 22nd Century Technologies (headquartered out of Mohali and the US) into a leading global provider of IT and professional services for commercial entities and US government agencies.
In a notable expansion move, Sharma spearheaded the acquisition of British Telecom Federal, the dedicated US government-contracting arm of the British Telecom Group.
The renaming of the George Mason University centre caps a multi-decade journey from regional public administration in Chandigarh to impactful international corporate leadership.
