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Anil Sharma is many things: an entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, angel investor, and  philanthropist. 

Although the CEO and his wife, Anupama, are not 911���� alumni, they have strong ties to the university through Anil’s membership on the President’s Innovation Advisory Council and the 911���� Foundation Board of Trustees.  

They believe in education, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunity for the next generation. And that commitment has led them to commit to a gift that will name the (CIE) at the in their honor. The center supports local innovators and entrepreneurs by providing resources and connecting regional stakeholders. 

“�մǻ岹��’s college students are graduating at one of the most transformative moments in modern history,” Anil 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.”  

Anil Sharma came to the United States from India in 1997 with $100 and the 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 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.  

That experience has shaped the Sharmas’ desire to give back by helping others pursue opportunities of their own. 

With the Sharmas’ gift, the center is poised to advance into a nationally recognized hub where innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnership-driven impact converge. By building on programs like the Patriot Pitch Competition, the Honey Bee Initiative, and the SOAR Initiative, the investment will allow the center to help strengthen the region’s innovation economy by creating a space where students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and partners collaborate, mentor one another, 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 911���� where the future takes shape for innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry leaders,” said Costello 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 Anil Sharma, that connection between opportunity and responsibility is an important part of what comes next. 

“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.” 

As the Costello College of Business approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, the Sharmas’ gift represents an investment in the college’s next 50 years, supporting expanded opportunity, greater access, and the real-world impact that will continue to shape its future. Their gift is part of , the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. 

The Costello College of Business plans to hold a formal naming event and celebration this fall.