Haroldo Jacobovicz: Transforming Business Through Technology Vision

The Making of a Tech Pioneer

Despite his training as a civil engineer, Haroldo Jacobovicz recognized the revolutionary potential of information technology long before it became mainstream. Born as the eldest of four siblings to Alfredo, a civil engineer and university professor, and Sarita, one of the first female civil engineers in Paraná, Jacobovicz might have been expected to follow the family tradition in civil construction. Instead, he pursued a different path that would eventually position him as a key figure in Brazil’s technology sector.

Early Career Decisions

The 1980s marked the beginning of Haroldo Jacobovicz’s professional journey. Fresh out of the Federal University of Paraná with a civil engineering degree, he made the unusual choice to explore information technology rather than traditional engineering fields. This decision reflected his natural curiosity and ability to identify emerging trends—traits that would characterize his entire career.

Learning from Initial Setbacks

Haroldo Jacobovicz’s entrepreneurial journey began even before graduation when he and three computer-savvy friends established Microsystem.

Their goal was to automate inventory and cash register operations for small retail businesses. Though the venture lasted only two years—closing because the

market wasn’t yet ready for such technological integration—it provided valuable lessons that would inform his future business endeavors.

Corporate Foundations

Following this experience, Haroldo Jacobovicz joined Esso (now Exxon Mobil), where he distinguished himself among hundreds of engineers during the selection process. His talent quickly became apparent as he progressed from reserve salesman to market analyst and eventually to managing commercial tactics and new business development at the company’s Brazilian headquarters. This corporate experience provided crucial insights into how large organizations could leverage data processing for business advantage.

Public Sector Experience

When economic conditions and personal considerations prompted a career shift, Haroldo Jacobovicz returned to Paraná to work at the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant as an advisor to the Technical Director. This position offered a unique perspective on technology adoption in public institutions, particularly the bureaucratic hurdles involved in classifying computers as permanent assets.

Successful Entrepreneurship

After four years in the public sector, Haroldo Jacobovicz returned to entrepreneurship with renewed vision and experience. He founded Minauro, offering an innovative solution to public agencies: computer rental and maintenance with four-year contracts that included equipment replacement every 18 months. This approach addressed the bureaucratic challenges he had observed at Itaipu and proved successful across multiple regions of Brazil.

Strategic Growth and Diversification

The business acumen of Haroldo Jacobovicz led him to expand beyond hardware into software solutions. Through strategic acquisitions of companies like Consult, Perform, and Sisteplan, he incorporated tax, financial, administrative, health, and education management software into his offerings. This expansion resulted in the formation of the e-Governe Group, which continues to serve Brazilian municipalities with specialized IT solutions.

Telecommunications Entry

In 2010, Haroldo Jacobovicz entered the telecommunications sector with Horizons Telecom. Built from the ground up with the best available resources and initially conceived by Renato Guerreiro (the first president of Anatel), the company quickly established itself in the corporate market. Within a decade, it became a reference in its niche before being acquired by a major investment group in early 2021.

Current Ventures

Following the telecommunications success, Haroldo Jacobovicz launched Arlequim Technologies in 2021. This startup focuses on computer virtualization, offering solutions that enhance the performance of existing equipment to match state-of-the-art machines. The service targets corporate, public sector, and retail markets—particularly gamers—providing cost-effective alternatives to hardware replacement.

Throughout his career, Haroldo Jacobovicz has demonstrated an exceptional ability to anticipate technological trends and translate them into practical business solutions. His work continues to be driven by the goal of improving daily operations for companies and individuals through thoughtful technology implementation. Follow him at Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/institutoharoldojacobovicz/