The professional path of Haroldo Jacobovicz demonstrates how technical training can serve as a foundation for technology entrepreneurship. While his academic preparation was in civil engineering at the Federal University of Paraná, his career has been defined by his ability to spot potential in emerging technology sectors.
As the son of a university professor father and one of Paraná’s pioneering female civil engineers, Jacobovicz grew up in an environment that valued technical knowledge. However, he developed his own distinct professional identity when he became captivated by information technology possibilities during the 1980s.
His initial business venture, Microsystem, launched while he was still completing his studies. The company aimed to modernize retail operations through automated inventory systems—a concept that proved too advanced for the Brazilian market at that time. Despite closing after two years, this experience provided Jacobovicz with critical insights about market timing and technology adoption rates.
Following this early venture, Haroldo Jacobovicz joined Esso (now Exxon Mobil), where his analytical skills led to rapid advancement. Beginning in sales, he progressed to roles analyzing market data and eventually took charge of commercial tactics and business development at the company’s Brazilian headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. His responsibilities increasingly centered around computer-processed information systems.
When economic policy changes under Brazil’s Cruzado Plan created industry pressures, Jacobovicz reassessed his career direction. He accepted a position at the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant, serving as an advisor to the Technical Director. This role brought him back to Paraná and provided exposure to technology implementation challenges within public infrastructure projects.
After four years in this government-sector position, Jacobovicz returned to entrepreneurship by establishing Minauro. The company offered an alternative to capital-intensive computer purchases by providing equipment rental with regular technology refreshes and maintenance services. This approach proved particularly successful with government agencies, winning contracts throughout southern and southeastern Brazil.
Building on this foundation, Jacobovicz expanded his technology portfolio by incorporating software solutions through acquisitions. The resulting e-Governe Group developed specialized applications for public administration, including tax management and educational systems that continue operating in numerous Brazilian municipalities.
In 2010, Haroldo Jacobovicz launched Horizons Telecom, entering the telecommunications sector with a business-focused approach. The company was conceptualized with input from Renato Guerreiro, who had previously served as the first president of Brazil’s telecommunications regulatory agency. Within a decade, Horizons became a significant presence in the corporate market before being acquired by investment partners in 2021.
Following this transaction, Jacobovicz established Arlequim Technologies in 2021, focusing on virtualization solutions that extend the productive life of computing equipment. This technology allows organizations and individuals to enhance performance of existing hardware without replacement costs—addressing both economic and environmental considerations.
Throughout these various business initiatives, Haroldo Jacobovicz has consistently applied his technical background to practical business applications. His career illustrates how engineering thinking can be applied beyond traditional construction fields to address technological needs across different sectors of the economy.