George Mason University is renaming its Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to honor local entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife, Anupama. The couple made a significant gift to the Costello College of Business to support the next generation of business leaders and expand the reach of the center's programs.
Anil Sharma arrived in the United States from India in 1997 with 100 dollars. He founded 22nd Century Technologies later that year. The firm grew from a small startup into a 600 million dollar government contracting business. The company currently employs 6,000 people and provides IT, cybersecurity, and cloud services to government agencies across North America.
The investment from the Sharmas aims to help the center scale existing programs like the Patriot Pitch Competition and the SOAR Initiative. The goal is to build a platform that connects students and faculty with experienced mentors and industry partners. This expanded structure intends to strengthen the regional economy by accelerating the growth of new ventures.
While neither Anil nor Anupama attended the university, they believe academic institutions are vital for turning ideas into concrete business outcomes. Sharma noted that current graduates enter a job market marked by rapid changes in technology. He emphasized that students must think critically and remain prepared to pivot as industries change.
Dean Ajay Vinzé of the Costello College of Business stated that the contribution marks a turning point for the center. The university will host a formal naming ceremony this fall to celebrate the new partnership and outline future goals for the expanded organization. The gift reinforces the importance of community support in the development of successful entrepreneurs.