The intersection of
military training and engineering education creates a distinctive foundation
for entrepreneurial ventures. For Haroldo Jacobovicz, this combination has
informed a career
spanning multiple technology businesses across four decades in Brazil.
Military
College and Engineering Education
Before establishing
himself as a technology entrepreneur, Haroldo Jacobovicz spent seven years at
Military College, followed by four and a half years studying Civil Engineering at
the Federal University of Paraná. This educational background provided both
disciplined thinking processes and analytical problem-solving capabilities.
Born to Alfredo, a
civil engineer and university professor, and Sarita, one of Paraná’s pioneering
female civil engineers, Haroldo Jacobovicz might have followed their
construction-focused path. Instead, he redirected these foundational skills
toward emerging information technology opportunities during the 1980s.
Applying
Structured Thinking to Emerging Technologies
The structured
approach developed through military and engineering training prepared Haroldo
Jacobovicz to evaluate emerging technology
opportunities systematically. As an avid reader of newspapers and
magazines, he processed information through an analytical lens that helped
identify practical applications before they became obvious to others.
This methodical
assessment led Haroldo Jacobovicz to create Microsystem with three
computer-skilled friends before graduation. Though this venture to automate
retail operations closed after two years—the market wasn’t yet prepared—it
demonstrated application of structured thinking to identify potential
technology implementations.
Strategic
Career Development
When initial
entrepreneurial efforts proved premature, Haroldo Jacobovicz applied his
background to corporate opportunities. At Esso (now Exxon Mobil), he
distinguished himself from more than 200 engineers during selection and
advanced rapidly from reserve salesman to handling commercial tactics and new business
at the Brazilian headquarters.
Later, at the Itaipu
Hydroelectric Plant, he served as advisor to the Technical Director. These
positions allowed Haroldo Jacobovicz to observe organizational operations from
both multinational corporate and state-owned enterprise perspectives, providing
complementary insights that would inform his subsequent ventures.
Disciplined
Entrepreneurship
After gaining
corporate and public sector experience, Haroldo Jacobovicz returned to
entrepreneurship with enhanced perspective. He established Minauro, offering
computer rental and maintenance to public agencies with structured four-year
contracts, equipment
replacement every 18 months, and included maintenance services.
This model reflected
both engineering precision in solution design and military discipline in
implementation structure. The approach addressed specific public sector
constraints while providing
technology access through carefully planned arrangements that balanced
various requirements.
Strategic
Expansion and Diversification
Haroldo Jacobovicz
expanded his technology ventures through methodical diversification. Minauro
incorporated software solutions through strategic acquisitions of Consult,
Perform, and Sisteplan, forming the e-Governe Group—a comprehensive IT solution
provider for public administration.
In 2010, he
established Horizons Telecom using a systematic approach that built from
scratch with premium resources rather than through acquisition or compromise.
Conceptualized with electrical engineer Renato Guerreiro (Anatel’s first
president), the company reflected careful planning and strategic
positioning.
Following the 2021
acquisition of Horizons Telecom, Haroldo Jacobovicz launched Arlequim
Technologies with structured focus on computer virtualization across corporate,
public sector, and retail markets. This progression demonstrates continued
application of disciplined analysis to identify and address technology needs.
Integration
of Military Precision and Engineering Creativity
Throughout his career,
Haroldo Jacobovicz has balanced the precision derived from military training
with the creative problem-solving
of engineering education. This combination has enabled development of
structured solutions that address specific needs while maintaining flexibility
for adaptation to changing circumstances.
From hardware
provision through Minauro to software integration through e-Governe,
telecommunications infrastructure through Horizons, and performance enhancement
through Arlequim, Haroldo Jacobovicz’s ventures reflect both disciplined
execution and creative application—transforming ideas into practical
solutions that improve management, productivity, and development across
multiple sectors.