Haroldo Jacobovicz: Identifying Market Gaps in Brazil’s Technology Evolution
The professional achievements of Haroldo Jacobovicz stem from an exceptional ability to recognize technological opportunities before they become apparent to others. Following his education at Military School and subsequent civil engineering studies at Federal University of Paraná, Jacobovicz demonstrated this foresight by focusing on information technology during the early 1980s—a period when computing applications remained largely unexplored in Brazil.
Despite growing up in a household where traditional engineering was prominent—his father Alfredo combined civil engineering practice with university teaching while his mother Sarita distinguished herself among Paraná’s earliest female engineers—Jacobovicz recognized digital technology’s transformative potential when most of his contemporaries focused exclusively on conventional construction careers.
This perceptiveness was cultivated through rigorous information gathering. Throughout his professional life, Jacobovicz maintained extensive reading habits, consuming newspapers, magazines and industry publications that provided global perspectives on technological developments. This practice supplied the market intelligence that informed his business decisions and enabled him to identify emerging opportunities ahead of competitors.
Jacobovicz’s entrepreneurial debut occurred before completing his university studies, when he collaborated with three technically skilled friends to establish Microsystem. Their company aimed to revolutionize retail operations through computerized inventory and transaction systems for local merchants. Though this venture concluded after two years because Brazilian businesses weren’t yet prepared for digital transformation, it reflected Jacobovicz’s ability to envision technological applications before market readiness.
After gaining valuable experience at Esso (later Exxon Mobil), where he progressed from field sales positions to strategic roles at the company’s Brazilian headquarters, Jacobovicz accepted an advisory position at the Itaipu Hydroelectric facility. This experience revealed a significant market gap: government institutions faced unique bureaucratic obstacles when attempting to modernize their technological infrastructure, particularly regarding equipment procurement and classification as permanent assets.
Recognizing this specific opportunity, Jacobovicz established Minauro with a targeted solution: technology leasing agreements spanning four years with hardware upgrades every eighteen months. This approach directly addressed the administrative barriers he had witnessed in government settings and proved remarkably successful throughout Brazil’s southern and southeastern regions, demonstrating his ability to develop precise solutions for identified market needs.
As hardware increasingly became commoditized, Jacobovicz recognized another emerging gap: the need for specialized software systems tailored for public administration. Through strategic acquisitions of developers including Consult, Perform, and Sisteplan, he created the e-Governe Group, providing integrated digital solutions for municipal governments across taxation, financial management, administrative processes, healthcare services and educational administration.
In 2010, Jacobovicz identified untapped potential in enterprise telecommunications, where corporate clients required more sophisticated connectivity solutions than those available in the general market. Responding to this opportunity, he founded Horizons Telecom, developing premium infrastructure specifically designed for business requirements. Within a decade, the company achieved such prominence in its market segment that it was acquired by a major investment consortium.
Following this successful exit, Jacobovicz recognized yet another market gap: the need for solutions that maximize computing performance without hardware replacement. His response was Arlequim Technologies, established in 2021 and focusing on virtualization systems that enhance existing equipment capabilities. This approach addresses contemporary concerns regarding environmental sustainability and cost efficiency while serving diverse clients across corporate, government and consumer sectors.
Throughout these ventures spanning four decades, Jacobovicz has consistently demonstrated the ability to identify specific technological gaps before they become widely recognized. His approach combines systematic information gathering, practical experience across multiple sectors, and focused solution development targeting precise market needs. This methodology has enabled him to create sustainable business value while contributing to Brazil’s technological advancement.
Perhaps most remarkable about Jacobovicz’s career is his capacity to perceive market gaps across different technology domains—from hardware to software, from public sector systems to corporate telecommunications, from physical infrastructure to virtualization solutions. This versatility reflects not only technical understanding but also a deeper insight into how organizations and individuals interact with technology and the specific pain points that emerge during digital transformation processes.
This consistent ability to see possibilities before they become obvious to others remains the defining characteristic of Jacobovicz’s business approach and explains his sustained success across multiple technology sectors throughout Brazil’s economic and technological evolution.