Tampa wants to be to USF what Silicon Valley is to Stanford, but for cybersecurity

The University of South Florida is poised to become a cybersecurity education hub with a historic $40 million donation from tech entrepreneur Arnie Bellini and his wife Lauren. This transformative gift will establish the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing, positioning Tampa as a potential cybersecurity powerhouse that can help address critical workforce shortages in these fields. The donation represents an ambitious attempt to strengthen America’s digital security infrastructure while creating a premier educational institution that could rival established tech education centers.

The big picture: USF is receiving the largest donation in its history to create Florida’s first college focused specifically on AI and cybersecurity.

• The $40 million gift from Arnie and Lauren Bellini will launch the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing this fall.
• The donation aims to transform Tampa into a cybersecurity education center that mirrors Stanford‘s relationship with Silicon Valley.

Behind the numbers: Arnie Bellini has a history of significant regional philanthropy after founding Tampa-based IT firm ConnectWise, which sold for $1.5 billion in 2019.

• Bellini previously donated $10.6 million to USF in 2022 to create a talent and career services center focused on closing the skills gap between academia and employers.
• He has also donated $15 million to Tampa Catholic High School for an arts center.

Why this matters: The investment addresses critical national security concerns by focusing on digital border protection amid growing cyber threats.

• Bellini specifically cited security threats from China and Russia while praising the growing concentration of cybersecurity companies and military presence at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
• The college aims to secure America’s “geopolitical power for the next 200 years” by developing domestic cybersecurity expertise.

Key details: The new college will start with 3,000 students and 45 faculty members with ambitious growth targets.

• University leaders plan to expand to 5,000 students and 100 faculty within three years.
• The funds will support scholarships, faculty recruitment, and new facilities.

What they’re saying: “If we get AI right, it will unlock unprecedented innovation, efficiency and economic growth,” said Bellini, emphasizing the college’s potential economic impact.

• USF Foundation chair Jay Stroman noted that Bellini is “not a silent investor” but someone deeply involved with a passion for the project.
• Bellini stated plans to aggressively recruit top talent, saying, “We’re going after MIT professors. We’re going after Stanford professors. We’re offering signing bonuses.”

Looking ahead: Bellini is promising additional financial support beyond the initial donation.

• He will match additional donations up to $5 million, potentially adding $10 million more to the college’s funding.
• The entrepreneur is also considering implementing a tuition guarantee program that would ensure job placement for graduates.