Richard Marko

CEO and co-owner of ESET, a company that has grown from its Slovak roots into a global player in cybersecurity. He joined the company as a software developer and worked on developing innovative technologies that helped ESET establish itself in the global market.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the ESET Foundation, which supports science, research, technology, education and civil society. Its flagship initiative is the ESET Science Award, which recognises outstanding scientific achievements and raises the profile of leading figures in Slovak research.

He believes that the country’s long-term development depends on trust in its people, support for talent, critical thinking and the ability to build lasting value that stands up to international competition.