Professional experiences often provide critical insights that shape entrepreneurial direction. For Haroldo Jacobovicz, his position as advisor to the Technical Director at the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant represented a pivotal period that significantly influenced his subsequent technology ventures.
From Corporate to Public Sector
After distinguishing himself at Esso (now Exxon Mobil), where he advanced rapidly from reserve salesman to handling
commercial tactics and new business at the Brazilian headquarters, Haroldo Jacobovicz faced career reconsideration. The Cruzado Plan’s price freeze affected the fuel industry, creating pressure that, combined with distance from family, prompted reassessment.
This situation led Haroldo Jacobovicz to join the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant project—a major infrastructure development spanning Brazil and Paraguay that remains one of the world’s largest hydroelectric facilities. As advisor to the Technical Director, he returned to Paraná while gaining exposure to state-owned enterprise operations.
Observing Public Sector Technology Challenges
The position at Itaipu provided Haroldo Jacobovicz direct insight into public sector technology adoption processes. He observed that “computerization, which he had seen in the private sector, was reaching the public sector”—a transition presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Particularly notable was his recognition of “the difficulty in adopting computers given the bureaucracy involved in immobilizing permanent assets.” This requirement created significant obstacles to technology acquisition and replacement within governmental contexts, limiting public sector digital advancement.
Formulating Solutions to Observed Constraints
After four years observing these challenges at Itaipu, Haroldo Jacobovicz decided to “return to the original plan—to have his own business in the technology sector.” His entrepreneurial direction, however, would be significantly informed by insights gained through his public sector experience.
Rather than simply replicating his previous venture Microsystem, Haroldo Jacobovicz established Minauro with a specifically tailored approach addressing public sector constraints he had observed. The company offered computer rental and maintenance with four-year contracts, equipment replacement every 18 months, and included maintenance services.
This model directly addressed the asset immobilization challenges he had identified at Itaipu by providing technology access through service contracts rather than equipment purchases. The approach proved successful, winning numerous bids across Brazil’s South and Southeast regions.
Building on Public Sector Experience
The insights gained during Haroldo Jacobovicz’s Itaipu tenure continued influencing his business development beyond Minauro’s initial establishment. The company expanded to incorporate software solutions through strategic acquisitions of Consult, Perform, and Sisteplan, forming the e-Governe Group.
This consolidated operation provided comprehensive IT solutions for public administration, including specialized applications for tax, financial, administrative, health, and education management. The expansion reflected understanding of public sector needs beyond hardware provision—knowledge likely informed by his observations at Itaipu.
From Observation to Implementation
The trajectory from Haroldo Jacobovicz’s advisory role at Itaipu to establishment of successful public sector technology ventures demonstrates how professional observation translated into entrepreneurial implementation. By recognizing specific constraints affecting governmental technology adoption, he developed targeted solutions addressing these limitations.
This approach exemplifies opportunity recognition through professional experience—using organizational insights to identify market gaps and develop appropriate responses. Rather than viewing his time at Itaipu solely as employment, Haroldo Jacobovicz utilized it as preparation for future entrepreneurship.
Broader Entrepreneurial Application
While Haroldo Jacobovicz’s public sector experience directly informed his e-Governe Group ventures, the observational skills developed during this period likely benefited his broader entrepreneurial career. His later establishment of Horizons Telecom (2010)
and Arlequim Technologies (2021) demonstrated continued ability to identify sector-specific needs and develop targeted solutions.
This pattern suggests that the analytical approach refined during his Itaipu tenure—observing organizational processes and identifying improvement opportunities—became a transferable skill applied across various technology domains. From public administration systems through telecommunications infrastructure to computer virtualization, Haroldo Jacobovicz has consistently transformed observations into practical business applications.
Throughout these ventures spanning hardware, software, telecommunications, and virtualization, he has maintained his core mission: developing solutions that improve management, productivity, and development across multiple sectors.