Haroldo Jacobovicz: From Civil Engineering to Technology Entrepreneurship
The career of Brazilian businessman Haroldo Jacobovicz offers a window into how professional paths can shift in unexpected directions. Trained as a civil engineer at the Federal University of Paraná, he chose not to pursue construction but instead moved into the emerging field of information technology during the 1980s.
Early Life and Education
Jacobovicz grew up in Curitiba as the eldest of four children. His parents both worked in engineering—his father Alfredo was a civil engineer and university professor, while his mother Sarita was the seventh woman to qualify as a civil engineer in Paraná. After completing seven years at Military College, he earned his civil engineering degree, though his interests lay elsewhere.
First Steps in Business
In 1983, before finishing his studies, Haroldo Jacobovicz gathered three friends with programming skills and launched Microsystem. The company aimed to provide automation services to retailers, pharmacies, and supermarkets—handling inventory control and cash register systems. The venture closed after two years. As Jacobovicz later reflected, the market was simply not prepared for computerisation at that time.
This experience, while unsuccessful commercially, provided early lessons about market timing and readiness that would inform his later decisions.
Corporate Experience
Following Microsystem’s closure, Jacobovicz joined Esso (now ExxonMobil), selected from over 200 engineer applicants. He progressed through several roles, eventually becoming responsible for commercial tactics and new business at the company’s Brazilian headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. His work there centred on computer-processed data analysis.
He subsequently moved to Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant as an advisor to the Technical Director, where he observed the difficulties public sector organisations faced when adopting computer systems.
Building Technology Companies
Armed with experience from both multinational and state-owned enterprises, Haroldo Jacobovicz returned to entrepreneurship. He founded Minauro, a computer rental and maintenance company targeting public agencies. The business offered four-year contracts with machine replacement every 18 months, an approach that won contracts across southern and southeastern Brazil.
This venture expanded through acquisitions to include software for tax, financial, administrative, health, and education management, eventually forming the e-Governe Group. In 2010, he established Horizons Telecom, a telecommunications operator designed to serve corporate clients. The company was acquired by an investment group in early 2021.
Current Work
After selling the telecommunications business, Jacobovicz founded Arlequim Technologies in 2021. The company focuses on computer virtualisation, offering services intended to improve the performance of older equipment without requiring new hardware purchases. The target market includes businesses, public sector organisations, and individual consumers, particularly gamers.
His stated motivation centres on making digital capabilities more widely accessible while maintaining reasonable costs—a practical approach to addressing gaps in technology access.
