Business

Haroldo Jacobovicz Leverages Technical Background for Digital Business Creation

Haroldo Jacobovicz

The career path of Haroldo Jacobovicz demonstrates how educational foundations can support ventures in emerging fields. After completing seven years at Military College followed by civil engineering studies at the Federal University of Paraná, he directed his analytical skills toward information technology applications during Brazil’s initial digital transformation period in the 1980s.

His technical inclinations reflected family influences—his father combined engineering practice with university teaching, while his mother was among the pioneering female civil engineers in Paraná. Yet Jacobovicz established his own professional identity when he recognized opportunities in digital technologies beyond conventional engineering practice.

Entrepreneurial instincts appeared before completing his degree when Haroldo Jacobovicz joined with three technically-proficient classmates to establish Microsystem. Their company aimed to improve retail operations through digital inventory solutions at a time when such concepts were still new in Brazil. The venture concluded after two years when they determined that small businesses weren’t prepared to embrace computerization—providing valuable insights about market readiness that would shape future business decisions.

To develop professional experience, Jacobovicz secured a position at Esso petroleum company, where his analytical approach distinguished him from numerous engineering candidates. Starting in sales, his methodical style facilitated advancement to market analysis and eventually to commercial strategy roles at the company’s Brazilian headquarters. His work increasingly involved computer-processed information, reinforcing his interest in technology applications.

When Brazil’s Cruzado Plan implemented economic policies affecting the fuel sector, coupled with considerations about family proximity, Haroldo Jacobovicz transitioned to the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant. As an advisor to the Technical Director, he gained exposure to how public organizations implement technology differently than private corporations.

After four years in this role, Jacobovicz returned to entrepreneurship with enhanced perspectives. He established Minauro, introducing a computer rental and maintenance model that addressed specific procurement requirements faced by government agencies. This approach gained traction through competitive bids across southern and southeastern regions of Brazil.

His business portfolio expanded through strategic acquisitions of software companies specializing in public administration systems. These developments led to the e-Governe Group, which continues providing digital government services to municipalities throughout Brazil.

In 2010, Haroldo Jacobovicz entered telecommunications by founding Horizons Telecom, developed with input from the first president of Brazil’s telecommunications regulatory agency. Focusing on corporate connectivity solutions, the company grew into a recognized market presence over the following decade before being acquired in early 2021.

Following this transaction, Jacobovicz launched Arlequim Technologies in 2021, concentrating on virtualization services that enhance computing performance without hardware replacement. This approach addresses both organizational efficiency needs and broader technology access concerns by extending the productive lifespan of existing equipment.

Throughout these various business initiatives, Haroldo Jacobovicz has consistently applied technical understanding to identify practical opportunities across different sectors. His professional evolution shows how engineering thinking can be adapted beyond traditional fields to advance digital capabilities across diverse segments of the economy.