Marc Koska OBE
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Social entrepreneur who has helped to save more than 14 million lives
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Developed a revolutionary disposable syringe, the iconic K-1 syringe
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Awarded an OBE for his ‘Contribution to Global Healthcare'
Marc Koska is a highly successful businessman and social entrepreneur who has helped to save more than 14 million lives. Despite years of rejection, Marc persisted in developing his revolutionary disposable syringe, the iconic K-1 syringe, the world's first ‘auto disable' syringe for the curative market. He was awarded an OBE for his ‘Contribution to Global Healthcare'.
One child dies every 24 seconds as a result of unsafe injections. The World Health Organisation estimate 3,500 dies each day as a result of unsafe injections, which is the equivalent of 10 jumbo jets crashing each day! Syringes intended to be used once are reused in developing world healthcare systems on average seven times, passing on blood borne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis from one patient to another.
Today hundreds of millions of his syringes are sold annually and the invention has saved more than 14 million lives and prevented 10 million cases of disease transmission. All injections given with a K1 syringe, Marc's revolutionary invention, are sterile and safe. They protect the patient, and the next patient, and their families, because the K1 syringe cannot be reused – it locks and breaks after one use. The design of his ground-breaking syringe took three minutes. The implementation of his plan took 17 turbulent and disheartening years of sacrifice, rejection, disappointment and finally a rewarding and revolutionary triumph. Marc Koska can tell his inspiring story and how he founded Star Syringe and the charity Safepoint Trust.
Nearly 2 decades after inventing the iconic K-1 syringe, the world's first ‘auto-disable' syringe for curative market use, Marc has worked with the World Health Organisation and instigated their only third ever global health initiative – a mandate on needle safety, which will end the blight of 1.3 million deaths a year due to dirty needs and hundreds of millions of dollars wasted on avoidable illness and cross-infections. By 2017 all health systems in the world will have to switch entirely to auto-disable syringes.
Marc has been awarded the Innovation Health Award by The Tech Awards – an international awards programme that honours innovators from around the world who are applying technology to benefit humanity, as well as The Economist Innovation Award for Social and Economic Innovation - making him one of the best health innovators in the world today. In 2015 he was selected as a Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee – joining a global network and being fully integrated into the World Economic Forum.
Marc Koska is a highly motivational and charismatic speaker, someone who has fought ignorance, bureaucracy and vested interest every step of the way to create a highly successful and dynamic company, and whose sole motivation is to save lives by eradicating the spread of a killer virus.
Marc's genuine lack of financial motivation is inspirational, moving and an admirably unique quality rarely seen in a thriving entrepreneur. He is a very popular speaker at TED conferences worldwide, and he has spoken at Google Zeitgeist, The Daily Beast Innovators Conference, Intelligence Squared, The Ink Conference, Peace One Day and The Global Health and Innovation Conference to name just a few.
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Marc speaks with passion and clarity on a subject that is complex yet alarming. His 20 year mission is conveyed through his fascinating collection of anecdotes. He is an outstanding entrepreneur and a true inspiration.
When you meet Marc you can't help but be sucked in by his passion and enthusiasm for his goal of ONE INJECTION ONE SYRINGE. He is both confident and persuasive in a direct yet friendly way and before you know it you are part of his team, a team that you feel, with his leadership will achieve his goal if not today then tomorrow.
While the business people in the audience appreciated hearing about how he brought his syringe to market, it was his presentation on the horrendous impacts of reusing needles and what SafePoint is doing to change the situation that brought everyone to tears and to their feet. His is a critical mission – to save lives. His passion, compassion and dedication are nothing short of remarkable and many of those who were in audience that day have shared that they were honoured to have been in the same room as Marc Koska. Truly, one of the most inspirational presenters I've had the privilege to hear.
Marc is an inspirational and effective speaker. He is able to transmit his passion and knowledge on a number of topics like entrepreneurial ventures, medical technologies and their development. What is remarkable about him is the capability to translate complex matters in simple, clear and powerful messages, supported by a number of anecdotes and stories related to his own experience
Marc's talk was an open, honest and moving account of his 20 year battle to bring one-use syringes to third world countries and raise awareness of the dangers involved in being treated by unethical medics.
Marc's down to earth approach both in giving us the highs and lows of starting and running an organisation and also in engaging the audience ensured that both students and staff are still talking about his presentation.
Marc was an excellent speaker and it was a great pleasure to hear him. It was humbling and passionate - thank you Marc
The client was delighted with Marc’s presentation. Apart from being on a topic very close to the audience’s heart, he spoke with great passion and told a very powerful story which moved the audience. The presentation system he used was excellent
Marc speaks with passion and clarity on a subject that is complex yet alarming. His 20 year mission is conveyed through his fascinating collection of anecdotes. He is an outstanding entrepreneur and a true inspiration
How to book Marc Koska OBE for your event
To book Marc Koska OBE, please submit an online enquiry to booking.agent@nmp.co.uk or contact one of our booking agents on +44 (0)20 3822 0003.
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