Haroldo Jacobovicz: From Engineering Graduate to Cloud Virtualisation Entrepreneur

The trajectory from civil engineering student to technology company founder spans four decades for Brazilian businessman Haroldo Jacobovicz. His most recent venture, Arlequim Technologies, launched in 2021 with a focus on cloud-based computing solutions designed to improve device performance without hardware replacement.
Early Professional Development
Before entering entrepreneurship, Haroldo Jacobovicz completed seven years at Military College followed by civil engineering studies at the Federal University of Paraná. Rather than pursuing construction projects, he gravitated toward the emerging field of information technology during the 1980s. Employment at the American oil distributor Esso provided exposure to data-driven business analysis, while a subsequent role at Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant offered perspective on public sector technology adoption and its associated bureaucratic processes.
These formative experiences shaped his understanding of how organisations across different sectors approached computerisation. The contrast between multinational corporate efficiency and state-owned enterprise procedures would later influence his approach to serving both private and government clients.
Building a Foundation in Technology Services
His entrepreneurial path included founding Minauro, which provided computer rental and maintenance through multi-year contracts with public agencies. The business model featured equipment replacement every 18 months alongside ongoing technical support. This operation expanded through acquisitions to form the e-Governe Group, incorporating software solutions for municipal administration across tax collection, financial management, healthcare, and education sectors.
A telecommunications venture followed in 2010 with Horizons Telecom, which served corporate customers for over a decade. These accumulated experiences in hardware, software, and connectivity services provided the operational background that preceded the establishment of Arlequim.
The Arlequim Model
Haroldo Jacobovicz founded Arlequim Technologies with the stated aim of delivering enhanced computing capabilities to users regardless of their existing equipment limitations. The company employs virtualisation technology to process demanding tasks remotely, effectively allowing older machines to perform at levels comparable to current-generation hardware.
This service targets three distinct market segments. Corporate clients can extend the productive lifespan of their IT assets. Public sector organisations facing procurement constraints gain access to improved computing resources. Individual consumers, particularly those interested in gaming, can run applications that would otherwise exceed their hardware specifications. The gamification aspect appeals to users seeking entertainment experiences without substantial equipment investment.
Accessibility as a Business Premise
The underlying premise connects to broader questions about technology access in Brazil. Equipment costs create barriers for many potential users, and the traditional model of regular hardware upgrades places financial strain on individuals and organisations alike. Cloud virtualisation presents an alternative pathway, delivering performance improvements through service subscriptions rather than capital expenditure on physical devices.
Arlequim positions itself within this market gap, offering what it describes as improved cost-benefit ratios for computing access. The company operates across its three target segments, applying the same core technology to address varying client requirements. Whether the end user seeks business productivity tools or entertainment applications, the virtualisation infrastructure serves as the common technical foundation.