# Sharat Sharan

> Sharat Sharan is ON24’s co-founder and longtime chief executive, who led the San Francisco business from 1998 through its acquisition by Cvent on April 1, 2026. His career spans telecommunications, internet media and enterprise marketing software; he guided ON24 through changes in its business model and its February 2021 IPO.

- **Role:** Technology entrepreneur, engineer, executive and business author
- **Organizations:** ON24, Hearst New Media, AT&T Bell Laboratories, AT&T Wireless Systems, Online Computer Systems, Forbes Technology Council
- **Education:** BS in Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra, Master’s degree in Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), MBA, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
- **Known for:** Led ON24 for more than 27 years through changes from multimedia news to webcasting and enterprise marketing software., Led ON24 through its February 2021 IPO; the completed offering generated approximately $492.3 million in gross proceeds, including selling-stockholder shares., Led ON24 through the Cvent transaction announced at approximately $400 million in total cash consideration.

## Career timeline

- **1984** — Chose to pursue graduate computer science studies in the United States, according to his 2007 interview.
- **circa 1986** — Began work at Online Computer Systems after graduate school.
- **Before 1998** — Worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories, in international switching product management and in business development at AT&T Wireless Systems.
- **circa 1993-1994** — Joined Hearst New Media; advanced to group vice president.
- **1998** — Co-founded ON24 and became CEO, as recorded in its IPO prospectus.
- **1999** — ON24 developed into an internet financial-news service for retail investors.
- **2001-2002** — ON24 shifted toward webcasting and ended its news operation in 2002.
- **2008** — ON24 launched Virtual Show for online trade shows, conferences and events.
- **2014** — Co-authored Webinars For Dummies with John Carucci.
- **2016** — ON24 introduced Demand and opened an Asia-Pacific headquarters in Sydney.
- **2021** — Led ON24 through its February IPO on the NYSE under ONTF.
- **2024** — Presented ON24’s next-generation intelligent engagement platform and AI offerings.
- **2025** — Led ON24 through negotiations for its sale to Cvent; agreement announced December 30.
- **2026** — Cvent completed its acquisition of ON24 on April 1; Sharan was identified as co-founder, chairman and CEO in the closing announcement.

## Achievements

- Led ON24 for more than 27 years through changes from multimedia news to webcasting and enterprise marketing software.
- Led ON24 through its February 2021 IPO; the completed offering generated approximately $492.3 million in gross proceeds, including selling-stockholder shares.
- Led ON24 through the Cvent transaction announced at approximately $400 million in total cash consideration.
- Co-authored Webinars For Dummies with John Carucci.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Cvent completed its acquisition of ON24 on April 1. Sharan reflected publicly on more than 27 years leading the company.
- **2025-12** — ON24 announced an agreement to be acquired by Cvent for approximately $400 million in total cash consideration, or $8.10 per share.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharatsharan

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sharat-sharan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27