Haroldo Jacobovicz: Technology Entrepreneurship Spanning Decades
Haroldo Jacobovicz received civil engineering training at the Federal University of Paraná following seven years at Military College, yet channeled his professional efforts toward computing and software during the 1980s. This choice diverged from the engineering path his parents followed—his mother Sarita was among Paraná’s initial seven female civil engineers, while his father Alfredo worked in civil engineering alongside university teaching responsibilities.
As the oldest child among four siblings, he developed curiosity about emerging technologies and global developments through regular newspaper and magazine reading. In 1983, he partnered with three colleagues who possessed computer skills to establish Microsystem before completing his university program. The company created automation solutions for retail businesses, targeting inventory management and cash register technology for supermarkets, pharmacies, and stores. The venture closed after two years when target customers proved unprepared to adopt computerized systems, offering early insights into market readiness and timing considerations.
After this closure, Haroldo Jacobovicz gained employment at Esso following a competitive selection involving over 200 engineering candidates through testing and group assessments. His progression within the oil distribution multinational moved through several positions, beginning with reserve sales responsibilities and advancing to market analysis for Brazil’s southern region. He eventually handled commercial tactics and new business development at the company’s Rio de Janeiro headquarters, where responsibilities centered on computer-processed data analysis for strategic planning. Fuel price controls implemented under the Cruzado Plan, combined with personal considerations about family separation, prompted his departure from the multinational.
His subsequent role involved serving as advisor to the Technical Director at Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant in Paraná. This assignment within a state-owned operation highlighted how procurement regulations for permanent assets created implementation barriers for computer technology in public organizations. After four years at the hydroelectric facility, Haroldo Jacobovicz returned to private business ownership with knowledge accumulated from both multinational corporate and public sector settings.
He founded Minauro to deliver computer equipment through rental models instead of outright sales. The business developed four-year contracts featuring equipment replacement every 18 months with included maintenance services. Public sector entities in southern and southeastern Brazil responded favorably, awarding the company numerous contracts. Expansion followed through purchasing three companies—Consult, Perform, and Sisteplan—which contributed software products addressing tax, financial, administrative, health, and education management requirements. These acquisitions created the e-Governe Group, which maintains ongoing service provision to Brazilian municipalities.
In 2010, he established Horizons Telecom to address corporate telecommunications requirements. Built alongside Renato Guerreiro, an electrical engineer who previously headed Anatel, the company developed market recognition over approximately ten years before being sold to an investment group in early 2021.
After completing the telecommunications sale, he founded Arlequim Technologies to concentrate on computer virtualization services. The company enhances computing performance for older equipment through remote resources, serving businesses, government organizations, and individual consumers particularly interested in gaming applications, providing modern capabilities without necessitating hardware purchases.