Anil Sharma’s Visionary Leadership: 22nd Century Technologies, Inc Surpasses $500 Million Milestone, Pioneering Government Contracting and IT Innovation

The company has successfully assisted over 40 clients with comprehensive cyber readiness solutions.

Expressing gratitude to the customers and his team for their contributions to the company’s success, Anil Sharma reflects on his journey as a first-generation immigrant driven by the American dream. Established in 1997, just as the Y2K problem was rearing its ugly head, Anil, his partner Satvinder Singh, and 22nd Century Technologies prospered but soon faced challenges like the dotcom bust, 9/11 attacks, and industry downturns such as the 2007 financial crisis, leading to difficult business decisions and even a temporary halt in operations.

Despite setbacks, Anil Sharma, as the CEO, led the company’s revival in 2008 by shifting focus to the government and public sector, resulting in substantial growth. Under his leadership, the company has transformed from a consulting startup into a powerhouse with over 6,000 employees and a revenue run-rate of $500+ million. With tireless dedication, Anil transformed a fledgling IT consulting startup into a government contracting powerhouse, driving 30% year-on-year revenue and business growth.

Anil attributes the company’s success to a commitment to innovation, resulting in niche software products and tailored solutions such as its suite of managed services and software products, such as ML and AI-driven CallCare Contact Center, Futurity for Cybersecurity, and HoldFort for ITSM and HelpDesk services. The company’s software offerings include Intelligent Document Processing (IDPBot), a law enforcement case management system, an emergency management system, and a comprehensive ERP suite tailored for state agencies and local governments.

22nd Century Technologies, currently headquartered in McLean, Virginia, maintains a customer-centric approach, actively contributing to its customers’ digital transformation, cloud migration, and cybersecurity journeys, and supporting other critical IT domains. The company’s mission revolves around serving citizens, communities, and government entities, utilizing advancements like GenAI, AI, and ML to deliver tailored solutions.

Acknowledging challenges faced during the aftermath of 9/11 and the 2007 financial crisis, Sharma emphasizes the importance of a strong team, defined goals, and an optimistic outlook in overcoming adversities. He attributes the company’s growth to a culture of teamwork, mutual support, and a shared commitment to success, with employees at the core of the strategy.

Going forward, 22nd Century expects its employees to drive customer value generation. The team strives to stay updated with the latest technology, acquire, and apply knowledge and skills to resolving customer problems, and help them deliver on their visions and missions. From a current market need and trend standpoint, 22nd Century Technologies actively supports clients in cloud transformations, particularly in the heightened threat landscape, focusing on cybersecurity. The company has successfully assisted over 40 clients with comprehensive cyber readiness solutions.

Sharma shares notable success stories, including the collaboration with the IRS to achieve a paperless system by 2025, showcasing the company’s role in addressing critical issues. The company’s commitment to fostering a sense of loyalty among employees has been instrumental in its growth.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our amazing team, the driving force behind our success. A big shoutout to our awesome customers too—your support has been key to not just maintaining but also growing our business. Cheers to all of you,” said Anil Sharma, CEO.

Looking to the future, 22nd Century Technologies is diversifying its growth strategy through acquisitions, venturing into innovative products and solutions, and exploring opportunities in the semiconductor and hardware sectors. Sharma concludes by expressing gratitude to the team and customers, reaffirming the company’s commitment to organic growth, employee well-being, and customer satisfaction.

About Anil Sharma

The entrepreneurial journey of Anil Sharma, a first-generation immigrant, unfolded with the establishment of 22nd Century Technologies in 1997, initially centered around IT consulting. Faced with challenges such as the 9/11 attacks in 2001 and the 2007 fiscal crisis, Anil strategically navigated the company through turbulent times. In 2008, a pivotal decision to shift focus to the government and public sector marked a turning point, propelling the company’s growth from an initial revenue of nearly a million dollars to over $500 million today, establishing a presence across all 50 states.

Distinguished by its adaptability and customer-centric approach, 22nd Century Technologies has evolved into a comprehensive company, excelling in IT managed services with a keen emphasis on cybersecurity. The company’s commitment to innovation is evident in its suite of software products, leveraging innovative technologies like AI and GenAI.

Catering primarily to the public sector, including federal entities and state and local governments, the company has achieved notable success stories. Collaborating with the IRS to transition towards a paperless system and supporting the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in the largest digital transformation in the U.S. are among the highlights.

Anil Sharma underscores the pivotal role of the company’s employees, portraying the corporate culture as familial and fostering a collaborative environment. Looking forward, 22nd Century Technologies is poised for inorganic growth through acquisitions, diversifying its strategy to offer innovative products and solutions while exploring opportunities in the semiconductor and hardware sectors. The commitment to organic growth, employee well-being, and customer satisfaction remains unwavering.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our amazing team, the driving force behind our success. A big shoutout to our awesome customers too—your support has been key to not just maintaining but also growing our business. Cheers to all of you!”

Through tireless dedication, Anil transformed a fledgling IT consulting startup into a government contracting powerhouse, driving 30% year-on-year revenue and business growth.

Under Anil’s leadership, the company has transformed from a consulting startup into a powerhouse with over 6,000 employees and a revenue run-rate of $500+ million.