Brazil’s technology
landscape has been shaped by visionaries who recognized potential before
markets fully materialized. Among these pioneers, Haroldo Jacobovicz stands
out for his persistent entrepreneurial spirit and ability to adapt to changing
technological paradigms while maintaining a consistent focus on practical
solutions.

From
Engineering Studies to Technology Entrepreneurship

With seven years of
Military College training and four and a half years studying Civil Engineering
at the Federal University of Paraná, Haroldo Jacobovicz built a solid
educational foundation in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Despite coming from a
family with strong ties to civil engineering—his father Alfredo was both an
engineer and university professor, while his mother Sarita was among the first
female civil engineers in Paraná—Jacobovicz found himself drawn to the emergent
field of information technology.

This attraction to
innovation rather than established practices characterized his approach
throughout his career. As an avid reader of newspapers and magazines,
Jacobovicz maintained awareness of global developments that
informed his business decisions and fueled his entrepreneurial ideas.

Early Ventures
and Lessons Learned

Before completing his
university studies, Haroldo Jacobovicz demonstrated remarkable initiative by
founding Microsystem with three technically
skilled friends. The company aimed to provide automated inventory control
and cash register systems to small businesses including stores, pharmacies, and
supermarkets.

Though this venture
closed after two years—the target market wasn’t yet prepared for
computerization—the experience provided valuable insights that would guide
Jacobovicz’s future business approaches. Recognizing that success requires a
combination of hard work, opportunity identification, and timing, he adjusted
his strategy rather than abandoning his technological focus.

Corporate Experience
and Market Understanding

Following his initial
entrepreneurial effort, Haroldo Jacobovicz joined Esso (now Exxon Mobil) after
competing successfully against more than 200 other engineers. His talents
quickly became apparent as he advanced from reserve salesman to market analyst
for Brazil’s South region, ultimately reaching a position responsible for
commercial tactics and new business development at the company’s Brazilian
headquarters.

His work heavily
involved computer-processed data, reinforcing his conviction regarding
technology’s business value. Later, when economic challenges during Brazil’s
Cruzado Plan prompted a career shift, Jacobovicz moved to the Itaipu
Hydroelectric Plant as an advisor to the Technical Director. This position provided
crucial insights into public sector operations, particularly regarding
technological adoption challenges within governmental bureaucracy.

Strategic
Entrepreneurship in the 1990s

After gaining
experience in both multinational and state-owned environments, Haroldo
Jacobovicz returned to entrepreneurship in the 1990s with a more refined
strategy. He established Minauro, offering innovative computer rental and
maintenance services primarily to public agencies—a direct response to the
bureaucratic difficulties he had observed in government technology acquisition.

The business
model—providing four-year contracts with equipment replacement every 18 months
and included maintenance—proved successful, winning numerous bids throughout
Brazil’s South and Southeast regions. This approach demonstrated Jacobovicz’s ability to develop
solutions specifically tailored to institutional needs.

Expansion
Beyond Hardware

Jacobovicz’s business
vision soon expanded beyond hardware to incorporate software solutions through
strategic acquisitions of companies including Consult, Perform, and Sisteplan.
These moves resulted in the creation of the e-Governe Group, which continues to
provide specialized IT solutions to public authorities across Brazilian
municipalities.

This expansion
reflected Jacobovicz’s understanding that comprehensive technology solutions
needed to address both hardware and software requirements, particularly for
public sector clients with specialized administrative needs.

Telecommunications
Ventures

In 2010, Haroldo
Jacobovicz ventured into telecommunications by founding Horizons Telecom. Built
“from scratch using the best technical, human and strategic resources
available,” the company was originally conceived with input from
electrical engineer Renato Guerreiro, the first president of Brazil’s National
Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).

Within a decade,
Horizons Telecom established itself as a reference in the corporate
telecommunications market, attracting acquisition by a major investment group
in early 2021 as part of a sector expansion strategy.

Recent
Initiatives

Following the
telecommunications company sale, Haroldo Jacobovicz launched Arlequim
Technologies in 2021, focusing on computer virtualization. This venture aims to
enhance the performance of existing equipment across various markets, providing
cost-effective alternatives to hardware replacement.

Throughout his career,
Haroldo Jacobovicz has consistently demonstrated how technological
understanding combined with business acumen can create practical solutions that
address specific market needs. His professional journey illustrates the value
of persistence, adaptability, and maintaining a clear focus on improving
operational efficiency for organizations and individuals.