# Arnie Bellini

> Arnie Bellini is the Tampa-based co-founder and former CEO of ConnectWise and managing partner of Bellini Capital. After ConnectWise’s 2019 acquisition by Thoma Bravo, he expanded his investment, education and conservation work. He and his wife Lauren funded USF’s Bellini Center for Talent Development and announced a $40 million gift for its AI, cybersecurity and computing college in 2025. He also founded Live Wildly Foundation to support Florida conservation.

- **Role:** Managing Partner at Bellini Capital
- **Organizations:** Bellini Capital, ConnectWise (co-founder and former CEO), Live Wildly Foundation (founder), Bellini Better World Foundation, University of South Florida Muma College of Business Executive Advisory Council
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in accounting, University of Florida, MBA in finance, University of South Florida, Tampa Catholic High School
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led ConnectWise until its 2019 sale to Thoma Bravo., Reported $270 million in employee equity proceeds from the sale, with more than 70 employees and alumni becoming millionaires., Completed the English Channel crossing on September 4, 2013, in 16 hours, 6 minutes and 26 seconds, aged 54.

## Career timeline

- **1981** — Worked as a technology consultant at Price Waterhouse.
- **1982** — Co-founded ConnectWise with his brother David in Tampa.
- **1998** — Began turning ConnectWise’s internal operating practices into integrated business management software.
- **2013** — Swam the English Channel from England to France on September 4.
- **2014** — Received EY’s Florida Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award.
- **2019** — ConnectWise was acquired by Thoma Bravo; Bellini left the CEO position for an advisory role and founded Bellini Capital. Created Bellini Better World Foundation with Lauren.
- **2022** — Founded Live Wildly Foundation; a $10.6 million gift with Lauren established USF’s Bellini Center for Talent Development.
- **2024** — Returned to the managed services industry conversation after his five-year noncompete.
- **2025** — Announced a $40 million USF college gift with Lauren; Saint Leo announced $1.5 million in cumulative support; received USF’s President’s Fellow Medallion.
- **2026** — Bellini Capital co-hosted the March CyberBay Summit with USF and Cyber Florida.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led ConnectWise until its 2019 sale to Thoma Bravo.
- Reported $270 million in employee equity proceeds from the sale, with more than 70 employees and alumni becoming millionaires.
- Completed the English Channel crossing on September 4, 2013, in 16 hours, 6 minutes and 26 seconds, aged 54.
- Won the 2014 EY Florida Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award.
- With Lauren Bellini, funded USF’s $10.6 million talent development center and announced its $40 million AI, cybersecurity and computing college gift.
- Founded Live Wildly Foundation in spring 2022.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — USF reported that ReliaQuest Labs was expanding at the Bellini College with a software engineering track and student work on live projects, supported by a $1.5 million ReliaQuest investment.
- **2026-03** — CyberBay Summit brought together academia, government and industry in Tampa; Bellini Capital was a co-host.
- **2025-12** — Received USF’s President’s Fellow Medallion at graduation exercises celebrating the Bellini College’s inaugural graduates.
- **2025-06** — Saint Leo University announced $1.5 million in total support from Bellini for cybersecurity education and scholarships.
- **2025-03** — Arnie and Lauren Bellini announced a $40 million gift to USF for the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing.

## Links

- Website: https://bellinicapital.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arniebellini

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/arnie-bellini
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15