In the debut episode of Journey to the C-Suite, Anil Sharma, the 22nd Century Technologies CEO shares how early setbacks, strategic pivots, and a focus on public sector growth shaped his $600 million success story
When Anil Sharma first stepped onto American soil in the late 1990s with just $100 in his pocket, he brought with him more than a modest sum — he carried the boundless hopes of an immigrant determined to build a new life. Today, he leads 22nd Century Technologies, a $600 million tech powerhouse with over 6,500 employees, embodying the quintessential American dream.
His journey, featured in the debut episode of The American Bazaar’s new podcast, “Journey to the C-Suite with Krystle Kaul,” is a story of resilience, strategic pivots, and a deep commitment to giving back.
The podcast was launched at an event in Vienna, VA, on Friday, and is now available for streaming on Spotify and YouTube.
Listen to the episode on Spotify
Kaul, the host, is a former director at the Department of Defense and a former congressional candidate. “Anil is an inspiration for young entrepreneurs like myself,” she said. “His humility, kindness, and approachable nature makes him a rare leader. Hearing his story shows that with discipline, conviction and strategy, anything is possible. I recommend all youngsters to hear his incredible journey.”
Born in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, Sharma was deeply inspired by his parents’ sacrifices. His father juggled multiple jobs to fund his children’s education, while his mother generously shared their limited resources with the community, instilling in Sharma the values of empathy, perseverance, and service.
He arrived in the United States with an engineering degree from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, along with some early work experience. But the transition was anything but smooth.
Sharma’s first job in Detroit, Michigan — during the height of the Y2K panic — lasted only a few months. Unbeknownst to him, he had been hired as a temporary replacement for an employee on maternity leave.
Knowing almost no one and having no savings—just as his wife and seven-month-old daughter had joined him in Detroit—Sharma recalls, “It was shocking.” That harsh introduction to the American dream, however, would ultimately forge the resilience and grit that would define his entrepreneurial journey.
Determined to rebuild his life and career, Sharma teamed up with his friend Satvinder Singh and moved to Stamford, Connecticut, to become a partner in a new consulting venture: 22nd Century Technologies. The duo grew the company rapidly, reaching nearly 100 employees within three years. But the aftermath of 9/11 brought unforeseen challenges, severely impacting the business and ultimately forcing Sharma to take up a full-time job to stay afloat.
Still driven by the entrepreneurial bug, Sharma returned to the company. Then came the 2007 financial meltdown. As he watched the market unravel for a second time since arriving in the United States, he began to notice a pattern.
“I saw that there was one industry which never goes down,” he says. “In fact, both the times, they get more funding, and that industry was the government industry, that was the federal government and state, [and] local [governments].
Sharma moved to the Washington, D.C., area — specifically Northern Virginia, a hub for government contracting. “So, today’s 22nd Century Technologies is what we built in 2008,” he says.
With little knowledge of the government contracting space, he assembled a small team of three to learn the ropes. Initially, they followed the conventional wisdom: partner with big firms, write proposals for them, and hope to be included in subcontracting work.
Sharma recalls spending 18 months writing proposals for other companies, only to see no major work come his way. Frustrated but undeterred, he made a bold pivot, focusing on writing prime contract proposals for his own firm. It was a gamble that paid off spectacularly.
The company soon shifted its focus entirely to the government sector. With new tools like GSA schedules and participation in the SBA 8(a) program, Sharma and his team began winning contracts as a prime contractor. “Since then,” he says, “we have not done anything as a sub to anybody. All our work is prime work.”
Today, 22nd Century Technologies is not only recognized for its cutting-edge solutions such as integrating AI for the IRS and bolstering cyber defense infrastructure but also for Sharma’s commitment to his people. He believes that a company’s strength is its people; investing in them, communicating openly, and leading with empathy is non-negotiable.
Sharma also reflects on some of the tough decisions he has had to make over the years.
One such moment was when 22nd Century Technologies pivoted fully to federal contracts. Although the company had originally launched with a focus on Fortune 100 clients, its public-sector business was gaining significant traction. As the government side grew rapidly, the company divested from the commercial division, where many of the earliest employees had built their careers.
Sharma says he approached the transition with empathy and transparency, clearly communicating the rationale and ensuring that no one lost their job. Employees were retrained, reassigned, and supported throughout the process. Some of those employees are still with the company today in senior leadership roles, he says.
“I treat my employees as a family, that’s how we have grown, that’s the [22nd Century Technologies’] culture, that’s the values we have built this company upon,” he says.
Sharma has also received numerous accolades, including an E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year award at the regional level. “That award is not just me, it’s a result of a collective effort and collective teamwork of 6,500 men and women who are supporting our customers, it’s a testament to teamwork, trust of our customers, and the innovation and focus we put on a daily basis.”
Beyond the boardroom, Sharma’s vision extends to giving back. He serves on the board of trustees of the George Mason University Foundation and is also a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
Sharma’s philanthropy mirrors his roots: funding community initiatives and empowering young entrepreneurs to dream big. As an active angel investor, he backs startups that are leveraging innovative technologies.
“I’m always looking for innovations,” he says. “I’m looking for disruptive technologies, and those are the reasons most of my angel investments are in health tech and new technologies, AI, [and] innovation.”