Draft:Arnie Bellini
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Arnie Bellini | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Florida, University of South Florida, |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive, investor |
Arnie Bellini is an American business executive and philanthropist.[1] He was the co-founder and first CEO of ConnectWise, a business management software company based in Tampa, Florida[2][3] that he sold for $1.5 billion in 2019.[1] In 2020, he started the investment firm Bellini Capital focused on investments in Tampa Bay.[4]
Bellini is the founder of a nonprofit called Live Wildly whose mission is to conserve Florida’s greenspaces and wildlife corridors.[5] He has lobbied for the preservation of wildlands in his home state of Florida.[6] He is also an endurance swimmer who crossed the English Channel in 2013 at the age of 54.[7]
Early life and education[edit]
Bellini grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana until the age of 12.[2] He later moved to Tampa, Florida, where his father worked for IBM.[2] Bellini graduated from Tampa Catholic High School in 1975.[8] He received a degree from the University of Florida[8] before receiving an MBA from the University of South Florida in 1982.[9]
Career[edit]
In 1982 Bellini co-founded the software company ConnectWise along with his brother, initially operating out of their parents’ spare bedroom.[8] Bellini served as CEO and his brother, David Bellini, served as president.[3] Bellini started the company with the intention of growing it in the Tampa Bay area;[9] by 2014, the company employed nearly 600 people in Tampa.[10] Bellini prioritized hiring locally.[2] In 2019 Bellini sold ConnectWise[11] to the private equity firm Thoma Bravo[12] for $1.5 billion.[9] Bellini founded the investment firm Bellini Capital in 2019[13]and serves as CEO.[14]
Philanthropy[edit]
In 2021, through his philanthropic organization Bellini Better World Foundation, Bellini hired lobbyists to advocate on behalf of a $300 million state conservation land acquisition program in Florida.[6] In 2022 he founded a nonprofit called Live Wildly that works to preserve Florida’s greenspaces and wildlife corridors.[5] Also in 2022, Bellini and his wife, Lauren, donated $10.6 million toward the establishment of the Bellini Center for Talent Development at the University of South Florida.[9] In 2024, Bellini donated $15 million to Tampa Catholic High School for the continued funding of an arts center he established there in 2019.[15]
Personal life[edit]
Bellini is a triathlete.[16] He is also an endurance swimmer who has completed swims around the island of Manhattan, and from Santa Catalina Island to Los Angeles. [3] In 2013, at the age of 54, he swam across the English Channel,[7] becoming the 50th person over the age of 50 to do so.[17] Bellini lives in Clearwater, Florida with his wife, Lauren.[18] They have two sons, Arnold and Peter.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Montgomery, Ben (21 June 2022). "The man behind the push to save wild Florida". Axios. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Szymanski, Dave (12 October 2007). "In the Family". Business Observer. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Trigaux, Robert (13 April 2016). "Can Tampa tech firm ConnectWise achieve national success? CEO Arnie Bellini hopes so". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Coffey, Lauren (11 September 2020). "ConnectWise co-founder launches investment firm as part of $70M plan to grow Tampa Bay's tech scene". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ a b Solomons, Gaylene (16 October 2023). "Creating a Path for the Panther". Naples Illustrated. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b Ritchie, Bruce (26 April 2021). "Tech founder helps push new conservation program to finish line in the Legislature". Politico. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b Fennelly, Martin (10 November 2013). "Lessons to be learned from the deep: Never ending belief helps Bellini conquer the English Channel". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
"In early September, Bellini, 54, swam the English Channel on his second attempt."
- ^ a b c Morgan, Phillip (21 May 2019). "Graduate who founded tech firm ConnectWise gives Tampa Catholic a $7 million gift". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d Kumar, Divya (24 March 2022). "USF center eyes a goal: someday, a guaranteed job for every business grad". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Thailji, Jamal (26 February 2014). "Tampa IT company to add 112 jobs". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Sowers, Lloyd (1 August 2022). "Tampa Bay tech tycoon turns his talents to protecting Florida's wildlife". FOX13. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Danielson, Richard (25 February 2019). "Silicon Valley firm to buy Tampa's ConnectWise, making millionaires out of scores of its employees". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Coffey, Lauren (11 September 2020). "ConnectWise co-founder launches investment firm as part of $70M plan to grow Tampa Bay's tech scene". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
The Bellinis are now sharing details of the latest piece of their plan: Bellini Capital. Founded in 2019, it invests in technology companies that are either based in the Tampa Bay region, have a majority of their company in the region or are willing to relocate.
- ^ Olsen, Jillian (24 March 2022). "USF receives $10.6 million gift to build talent center". WTSP. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ Kumar, Divya (25 January 2024). "$15M gift fuels Tampa Catholic arts center, fulfilling 'a pledge to God'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ Fennelly, Martin (10 November 2013). "Lessons to be learned from the deep: Never ending belief helps Bellini conquer the English Channel". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
After Arnie Bellini turned 50, he completed three Ironman triathlons.
- ^ Walsh, Larry (6 September 2013). "Arnie Bellini Conquers the English Channel". Channel Buzz. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Taylor Martin, Susan (6 September 2019). "Co-founder of Tampa firm ConnectWise buys two Clearwater Beach gulf-front parcels for $20.25 million". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 7 December 2023.