What ACCESS does

ACCESS Development Services is a Section 8 not-for-profit organization incorporated on March 1, 2006, in New Delhi, India, originally spun off from a DFID (UK Government)-supported microfinance and small enterprise programme. It operates a three-tier programmatic architecture: Tier I direct community-level implementation (encompassing programmes such as SAKHI Utpadan Samiti, KAWACH, Work4Progress, Mitti Labs AWD, Jaldhara, AWE, and Agroecology Fund); Tier II techno-managerial support to government and multilateral agencies (including DAY-NRLM, state rural livelihoods missions, IFAD, World Bank, UNCDF, and UNDP); and Tier III national policy platforms (Global Inclusive Finance Summit, Livelihoods India Summit, Udyam Mahila), supported by knowledge products such as the State of India's Livelihood Report, Inclusive Finance India Report, and Responsible Finance India Report.

The organization reaches 1.2 million+ lives across 15 states through 54 offices and 36 ongoing programmes, with activities spanning women's entrepreneurship (18,000+ women entrepreneurs supported), sustainable agriculture and water conservation (63,000+ households, 7.85 billion litres of water saved under the Jaldhara/HUF partnership), artisan enterprise development (KAWACH's 800+ women across 65 SHGs), and SHG market integration. Its core technology stack comprises standard IT infrastructure (LAN/Wi-Fi, cloud, email, servers, MIS/dashboard platforms) plus partner-provided technologies such as MittiLabs AWD water-saving methods; SAKHI products are distributed through 250 retail stores and quick commerce platforms (Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, JioMart).

ACCESS's business model is grant and project-funded rather than commercial: as a Section 8 non-profit, it does not operate a product revenue model. Funding flows from government agencies, multilateral/bilateral donors (DFID, IFAD, UNCDF, UNDP, World Bank, British Asian Trust, La Caixa, Intrepid), and corporate CSR partners (Hindustan Zinc/Vedanta, HCL Foundation, Hindustan Unilever Foundation, HDFC Bank, HSBC, Mastercard, Reliance Foundation, TATA Steel Foundation, Jindal, JSW). Beneficiary segments are women in rural India, smallholder farmers, micro/small enterprises/SHG enterprises, government departments, and corporate CSR partners.

Name

ACCESS

Legal name

ACCESS Development Services

Website

https://accessdev.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ACCESS Development Services is a Section 8 non-profit founded in 2006 that designs and implements sustainable livelihood programmes across rural India, serving women, smallholder farmers, and micro-enterprises across 15 states and 54 offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Livelihood Development Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Integration & Inclusion Services (Housing, Education, Employment) (BPADAHAI)

Keywords

• Livelihoods development services
• Rural poverty reduction
• Women entrepreneurship programs
• Sustainable agriculture programs
• Financial inclusion services

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ACCESS Development Services is a national livelihoods support organization that designs and implements poverty reduction programs across India. Its core service offerings include women's entrepreneurship development, sustainable agriculture and water conservation, financial inclusion, community institution building (Self-Help Groups, Farmer Producer Organizations, Water User Groups), and policy advisory support to government and multilateral agencies through a three-tier program architecture.

Product overview

ACCESS Development Services is a national livelihoods support organization established in March 2006 as a Section 8 not-for-profit company. The organization operates a three-tier structure: Tier I (direct program implementation on the ground), Tier II (supporting government, civil society, and multilateral agencies through techno-managerial services), and Tier III (national initiatives to influence policy and strengthen the enabling environment). The portfolio includes multiple distinct programs and sub-brands: SAKHI Utpadan Samiti (ISO 9001-certified enterprise under Hindustan Zinc CSR) with brands Daichi, HeartswithFingers, and Upaya Sakhi offering 200+ textile and 70+ food products across 250 retail stores; GAP Fund (IFAD-supported agroecology program); Work4Progress (women-led entrepreneurship platform); KAWACH (child protection in partnership with British Asian Trust); Mitti Labs (water-saving AWD technology); Jaldhara (water conservation); multiple government partnership programs (Mukhyamantri Maka Mission, MP Udaan); corporate partnerships (HCL Foundation New LEAF, Hindustan Unilever Foundation); and knowledge platforms (Livelihoods India Summit, Global Inclusive Finance Summit, Udyam Mahila). The organization also publishes annual research reports including State of India's Livelihood Report, Inclusive Finance India Report, and Responsible Finance India Report.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SAKHI Utpadan Samiti A flagship livelihoods program implementing an ISO 9001-certified social enterprise offering 200+ textile products and 70+ food products (brands: Daichi, HeartswithFingers, Upaya Sakhi) distributed through 250+ retail stores, quick commerce platforms, and online marketplaces for rural women artisans and micro-entrepreneurs.
• GAP Fund (Grant for Agroecology Program) Grant fund and technical assistance program for small agroecological producers and enterprises, providing business development services and supply chain linkages, supported by IFAD.
• Work4Progress (W4P) Open platform program advancing women-led entrepreneurship and building resilient enterprise ecosystems in rural India, operational across 568 villages in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• KAWACH Child protection program implemented in partnership with The British Asian Trust, strengthening women's livelihoods in textile-producing communities around Jaipur to reduce child labour, featuring the Crafts Women Producer Company.
• Jaldhara Project Water conservation initiative under Hindustan Unilever Foundation partnership implementing Water User Group mobilization and water budgeting across 450+ villages in Rajasthan, reaching 63,000+ households and saving 7.85 billion litres of water.
• Mitti Labs (AWD Programme) Program deploying Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) water-saving technology in rice cultivation, engaging 18,000+ rice farmers across 25,000+ hectares in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with planned expansion to Odisha.
• Mukhyamantri Maka Mission Government partnership livelihoods program supporting maize farming and agricultural livelihoods across multiple districts of Madhya Pradesh.
• MP Udaan Project implemented in Madhya Pradesh focused on skills training and enterprise development for underserved communities.
• AMAZE Odisha Livelihoods and enterprise development program operational in Odisha supporting local entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
• New LEAF (HCL Foundation) Program in partnership with HCL Foundation linking environment, agriculture, and families for sustainable livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Advancing Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Tier I program focused on advancing women entrepreneurs through business capability building, market integration, and entrepreneurship development.
• Agroecology Fund Tier I program supporting agroecological practices and value chain development for small producers and farmer producer organizations.
• La Caixa Project Donor-funded livelihoods development program supported by La Caixa Foundation.
• Scaling Up & Establishing (CFL) Phase-III

Quantifiable outcome

• 63,000+ households reached with water conservation practices across 450 villages in Rajasthan; 7.85 billion litres of water saved
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Aajeevika MPSRLM (Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Maharashtra's rural livelihoods mission focused on poverty reduction through livelihood promotion. ACCESS works with MPSRLM on implementation support.
• Aajeevika WBSRLM (West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of West Bengal's rural livelihoods mission. ACCESS provides techno-managerial support for programme implementation.
• Assam State Rural Livelihoods MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment of Assam's rural livelihoods mission. ACCESS supports programme implementation and capacity building.
• Department of Financial Services, Government of IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry-level government department responsible for financial inclusion policies. ACCESS supports financial inclusion initiatives and national platforms.
• Livelihoods Mission, Government of OdishacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOdisha government's flagship livelihoods mission. ACCESS supports implementation in Dhenkanal and other districts through programme delivery.
• Jeevika (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBihar's rural livelihoods mission (JEEViKA). ACCESS provides implementation support and capacity building services.
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational ministry for agriculture. ACCESS collaborates on sustainable agriculture, climate-resilient practices, and farmer livelihood programmes.
• Mukhyamantri Maka Mission (Madhya Pradesh Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMadhya Pradesh government's livelihoods mission focused on maize farming and allied activities. ACCESS implements the programme across multiple districts.
• NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNITI Aayog is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India. ACCESS collaborates on policy initiatives and enabling environment strengthening.
• Reserve Bank of IndiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndia's central bank. ACCESS supports financial inclusion initiatives and inclusive finance policy through its platforms.
• NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational cooperative marketing federation. ACCESS collaborates on agricultural value chain development and market linkage programmes.
• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier development financial institution for agriculture and rural India. ACCESS works with NABARD on FPO promotion, financial inclusion, and rural development programmes.
• SFAC (Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment-sponsored society for agri-business development. ACCESS collaborates on FPO formation and agribusiness value chain development.
• Hindustan Unilever Foundation (HUF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUF is a key CSR partner of ACCESS. Under the Water User's Group initiative, HUF has partnered with ACCESS in Rajasthan, reaching over 63,000 households and saving 7.85 billion litres of water. HUF is also a partner in Hindustan Unilever Foundation project.
• Hindustan Zinc / Vedanta Group (SAKHI Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHindustan Zinc's SAKHI CSR initiative, implemented in partnership with ACCESS, empowers rural women in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand through sustainable livelihoods. ACCESS manages SAKHI Utpadan Samiti, an ISO 9001-certified enterprise with 200+ textile and 70+ food products.
• HCL Foundation (New LEAF Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHCL Foundation's CSR arm partnering with ACCESS on the New LEAF (Linking Environment, Agriculture, and Families) project for sustainable livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture.
• HDFC BanksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHDFC Bank, as part of its CSR initiatives, partners with ACCESS on financial inclusion and livelihood promotion programmes.
• HSBCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSBC partners with ACCESS as part of its community development and sustainability initiatives in India.
• MastercardsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMastercard partners with ACCESS on financial inclusion and digital payments initiatives in India.
• Reliance FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerReliance Foundation partners with ACCESS on livelihood and rural development programmes.
• TATA Steel FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTATA Steel Foundation partners with ACCESS on community development and livelihoods initiatives.
• UnileversupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnilever partners with ACCESS through its corporate social responsibility initiatives for rural livelihood development.
• Jindal Steel & PowersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJindal Steel & Power partners with ACCESS on community development and livelihood programmes.
• JSW GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSW Group partners with ACCESS on CSR-driven livelihoods and rural development initiatives.
• Wild FrontierssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild Frontiers partners with ACCESS on community-based development and livelihood initiatives.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNDP collaborates with ACCESS on development programmes and policy initiatives for poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods.
• British Asian Trust (KAWACH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe British Asian Trust is the lead funder of the KAWACH programme (child protection through women's livelihoods) in textile communities around Jaipur. ACCESS is the implementing partner since 2019, working to reduce child labour by strengthening women's economic opportunities.
• Corteva AgrisciencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorteva Agriscience partners with ACCESS on agricultural development and farmer livelihood programmes.
• MittiLabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMittiLabs partners with ACCESS on water-saving technologies through Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, engaging 18,000+ rice farmers across 25,000+ ha, with expansion to Odisha planned.
• DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCESS supports DAY-NRLM's transition from SHG mobilisation to national and global market integration for SHG enterprises. With 10.05 crore women in 90.90 lakh SHGs and 1.48 crore Lakhpati Didis, ACCESS is implementing a national marketing strategy for SHG products.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dasra: Dasra is a strategic philanthropy intermediary focused on India that builds capacity of NGOs in livelihoods, gender, and education and connects them with funders. Comparable to ACCESS on enabling-environment work, knowledge production, and Indian development-sector intermediary role.
• PRADAN: PRADAN is a leading Indian livelihoods promotion NGO working on women's empowerment, SHG federation, and rural livelihoods across multiple states. Directly comparable to ACCESS on mission (livelihoods, women's SHGs), model (community institutions), and funder profile (multilateral/bilateral donors).
• Swasti Health Catalyst: Swasti is an Indian public health and livelihoods catalyst working with vulnerable communities on health, livelihoods, and gender. Comparable to ACCESS on integrated livelihoods-plus-health programming, donor-funded implementation model, and Indian NGO scale.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: BAIF is one of India's largest rural livelihoods NGOs with programs in livestock, agriculture, and women's empowerment across 100+ districts. Comparable to ACCESS on rural livelihoods focus, community institution approach, and pan-India footprint with state office networks.
• Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA): SEWA is India's largest informal-sector women's organisation promoting livelihood security through cooperatives, microfinance, and market linkage. Comparable to ACCESS on women's economic empowerment, SHG/FPO frameworks, and rural India scale.
• Magic Bus India Foundation: Magic Bus is a major Indian livelihoods NGO focused on youth employability, women's economic empowerment, and rural communities. Comparable to ACCESS on livelihoods outcomes for disadvantaged communities, multi-state presence, and CSR funding base.
• Heifer International India: Heifer International India runs livelihoods and women empowerment programs for smallholder farmers, particularly in livestock and agriculture value chains. Closely comparable to ACCESS on farmer livelihoods, women-led producer organisations, and smallholder value chain development.
• WaterAid India: WaterAid India is a major WASH and water-conservation NGO that operates community-based water programs analogous to ACCESS's Jaldhara project. Comparable to ACCESS on water-user-group mobilisation, rural reach, and water-and-livelihoods integration.

Broad incumbents

• UNDP India: UNDP India is a major multilateral agency that partners with ACCESS and operates broadly across livelihoods, poverty, and governance. As a funder and convener, it overlaps with ACCESS's Tier III national platform work and Tier II government technical assistance.
• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development): NABARD is India's apex development finance institution for agriculture and rural development and a core partner of ACCESS on FPO promotion, financial inclusion, and rural livelihoods. As a much larger institutional actor it competes for some Tier II implementation mandates and convenes the same stakeholder ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/accessdevelopm1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/access-development-services_2

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ACCESS