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The Costello College of Business at George Mason University has announced that it will rename its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in honor of Northern Virginia entrepreneur and 22nd Century Technologies CEO Anil Sharma and his wife, Anupama Sharma.
The naming recognizes a gift from the couple inspired by their belief in “education, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunity for the next generation.”
For the Sharmas, the commitment has a personal connection to Anil Sharma’s own entrepreneurial journey. Sharma arrived in the United States from India in 1997 with $100 and a determination to build a future in a new country. Later that year, he founded McLean-based 22nd Century Technologies.
What began as an IT consulting business has since grown into a $600 million government contracting firm providing “IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation solutions” to federal, state, and local government agencies across all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico, according to a statement from the university.
Today, 22nd Century Technologies is a Certified National Minority Business Enterprise that employs more than 6,000 people nationwide, including more than 600 cybersecurity subject matter experts.
“That experience has shaped the Sharmas’ desire to give back by helping others pursue opportunities of their own,” the statement said. “Sharma is an active angel investor who has invested in and mentored several startups and small businesses, including through his involvement with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its Patriot Pitch Competition, an annual entrepreneurial showcase that provides George Mason students and recent alumni with the opportunity to present business ideas and early-stage ventures.”
Although neither Anil nor Anupama Sharma is a George Mason graduate, the couple shares a strong belief in the university’s “ability to open doors, strengthen communities, and prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.”
Their gift reflects their appreciation for the role universities can play in helping people transform ideas into opportunities while connecting students with the “education, mentorship, and experiences” they need to succeed.
“Today’s college students are graduating at one of the most transformative moments in modern history,” Sharma said. “Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping every industry… and the future will belong to those who can learn faster, adapt continuously, think critically, and stay resilient during change.”
The Sharmas’ gift is expected to help expand the center into a nationally recognized hub focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and partnerships, according to the university.
The investment will allow the center to build beyond individual programs such as the Patriot Pitch Competition, the Honey Bee Initiative and the SOAR Initiative and establish a broader leadership role. The center will operate as an integrated platform designed to strengthen the region’s innovation economy by bringing together students, faculty, entrepreneurs and partners to collaborate, provide mentorship and develop new ventures.
“This is a significant milestone for both the Costello College of Business and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and one that will ensure our center’s role as the preeminent place at George Mason University where the future takes shape for innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry leaders,” said Costello College of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé. “I know I speak on behalf of all of us at Costello when I say how grateful we are to Anil and Anupama for their leadership in strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, expanding opportunities for our students, alumni, and community members, and creating an engine of innovation that will fuel long-term value and opportunity for generations to come.”
For Sharma, the initiative also reflects a broader connection between entrepreneurial success, opportunity and responsibility.
“Building a business taught me that success is never only about one person,” Sharma said. “People give you opportunities, people trust you, people teach you, and communities create the conditions in which you can grow. At some point, you have a responsibility to help create those opportunities for someone else. That is what Anupama and I hope this center will do.”
The Costello College of Business plans to hold a formal naming event and celebration this fall to recognize the Sharmas’ contribution and mark the future of the Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, according to the statement.
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