The Minds Foundation

What The Minds Foundation does

The MINDS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2011 by Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani (while at Wesleyan University) and headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, with operational offices across four Indian states (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana) and a registered India NGO entity under 12A/80G. Its mission is to eliminate stigma surrounding mental illness and to expand access to cost-effective, high-quality mental health care, primarily through community-level systemic change in underserved Indian communities. The organization reaches 2.5M+ individuals across 250+ communities, with direct programming for 122,000+ schoolchildren and 32,750+ teachers, supported by a 225+ volunteer base.

The organization's product surface combines a digital service layer (Virtual Counselling Centre delivered through a partnership with CloudTherapy, offering online therapy sessions starting at 300 INR), a research capability (MINDLaB, an in-house lab producing peer-reviewed publications), a co-branded children's program ("Tayyari Jeet Ki" with Cadbury Bournvita), caregiver manuals co-created with Bipolar India and DeSousa Foundation, webinars/podcasts, a 24/7 WhatsApp and phone helpline, and a global Fellowship/Leadership Development Program. Underlying technology is a digital platform for psychotherapy management and CRM, with payment processing via Zoho Checkout (PCI-DSS compliant) and donation rails via DonorBox (US) and GiveIndia (India, 80G tax-exemption).

The business model is donation- and grant-driven: the primary revenue stream is charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations (with a 501(c)(3) US entity and 12A/80G India entity enabling tax-advantaged giving in both jurisdictions); secondary revenue comes from fee-for-service online therapy at 300 INR per session and a merchandise store. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on partnerships with teachers, village leaders, local governments, clinicians, and corporate sponsors (Cadbury Bournvita, Fiama, CloudTherapy, GiveIndia, Bipolar India, DeSousa Foundation, HERVA), with awareness built through content marketing, social media, webinars/podcasts, community events, and earned media coverage in CNN, The Better India, Thrive Global, The Hippocratic Post, and The Citizen India.

Name

The Minds Foundation

Legal name

The MINDS Foundation

Website

https://mindsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The MINDS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2011 that delivers community-level mental health education, counseling, and training programs in India, reaching 2.5M+ people across 250+ underserved communities through a volunteer-driven, donation-funded model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services

NAICS

Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (621330), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) (62133), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health Counseling & Psychotherapy Services (EDALAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meditation Apps, Digital Courses & Online Communities (HSADAJAH), Mental Wellness & Resilience Education (Non-clinical) (EDAAAHAK), Mindfulness, Meditation & Stress Management Education (EDAAAHAD), Mind-Body Wellness Coaching (Holistic/Integrative) (HSADAGAG), General Mental Health Therapy Platforms (Talk Therapy) (HLALAEAA)

Keywords

• Mental health services
• Online therapy platform
• Community mental health
• Mental health education
• Psychotherapy counseling

Headquarters

HQ city

Beverly Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501c3 not-for-profit and 12A/80G NGO, the organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations and expansion of mental health programs.
2. Counseling and Therapy Services: The organization provides affordable online therapy sessions priced starting at 300 INR, generating revenue through fee-for-service counseling. Sessions can be pre-booked and are delivered through a digital platform connecting users with therapists.
3. Store/Merchandise: The organization operates a shop selling various merchandise. Store items are non-refundable per their refund policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Minds Foundation provides mental wellness services through an online/offline psychotherapy counseling platform, supported by community-level education programs and research. Their core offering is the Virtual Counselling Centre that connects users with verified therapists for sessions priced starting at 300 INR, accompanied by free 24/7 helplines, school mental health curricula, caregiver manuals, webinars, and the MINDLaB research lab developing evidence-backed programming for underserved communities in India.

Product overview

The MINDS Foundation operates a digital mental health platform consisting of multiple interconnected products and programs. The core offering is a Virtual Counselling Centre that connects users with verified therapists for online and offline psychotherapy sessions. This is supported by MINDLaB, an in-house research lab that develops evidence-backed programming. The organization also delivers educational content through webinars, podcasts, and published manuals covering conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, and panic attacks. Additional programs include the Children's Mental Health initiative (Tayyari Jeet Ki with Cadbury Bournvita), a 24/7 helpline, the Fellowship Program, and the Leadership Development Program. All services are aimed at eliminating stigma and increasing access to cost-effective, high-quality mental health care in India and globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fiama x MINDS Virtual Counselling Centre Digital platform providing psychotherapy and counselling services that connects users with trained, verified therapists for online and offline therapy sessions; sessions are priced starting at 300 INR and are confidential and non-judgmental.
• MINDLaB In-house research laboratory focused on developing evidence-backed, human-centered mental health programming through data-driven research and collaboration with academic and clinical institutions.
• Tayyari Jeet Ki (Bournvita x MINDS Children's Mental Health) Children's mental health initiative in partnership with Cadbury Bournvita providing age-appropriate mental health education and resources targeting schoolchildren and youth in India.
• WhatsApp (SMS/Call) Helpline 24/7 free mental health helpline (+91-903-3837227) providing immediate support and crisis intervention for individuals in India.
• Affordable Online Therapy Sessions Online therapy sessions provided by confidential, non-judgmental therapists specialized in various mental health areas, including LGBTQIA+ support, priced starting at 300 INR per session.
• MINDS Foundation Webinars Free online webinars on mental wellness topics covering depression, anxiety, suicide, domestic violence, substance use, and loneliness.
• MINDS Foundation Fellowship Program A global mental health and cultural experience opportunity based in India for students and professionals, providing hands-on engagement with MINDS-India programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2.5+ million individuals reached through programming
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GiveIndiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Donation platform for supporting MINDS COVID-19 Mental Health Relief efforts in India with 80G tax-exemption.
• YourMomCaresminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Webinar collaboration on 'Talking about Current Events with Kids' discussing navigating difficult conversations with children.
• HERVAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaboration to expand services to remote areas of Gujarat through partnership.
• Fiama (WFH Products)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Fiama for the Fiama x MINDS Virtual Counselling Centre, providing accessible online mental health counseling services.
• Cadbury BournvitacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Bournvita x MINDS Children's Mental Health program focused on youth mental health education.
• CloudTherapycoreTechnology or IntegrationVirtual psychotherapy services partner providing online therapy session capabilities through their platform.
• Bipolar IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for development of caregiver manuals for Bipolar Disorder and Depression, creating educational resources for caregivers.
• DeSousa FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creation of Manual on Panic Attacks for Patients, Caregivers & Community Members.
• lavanaartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArt gallery partnership in Mumbai and online marketplace where purchases support mental health initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sangath: India-based mental health NGO conducting research and delivering community-based interventions in underserved areas. Comparable in combining evidence-based research (similar to MINDLaB) with on-the-ground mental health programming across rural India.
• iCall (TISS): Tata Institute-affiliated counseling, training, and research helpline offering affordable therapy and outreach in India. Comparable as a non-clinical mental health service provider focused on accessibility, training, and stigma reduction.
• The Live Love Laugh Foundation: India-based mental health foundation focused on stigma reduction, awareness, and access to care. Comparable in its non-clinical, education-led approach and large-scale community outreach via media and partnerships.
• Vandrevala Foundation: India-based non-profit operating a 24/7 multilingual mental health helpline, suicide prevention services, and community outreach. Directly comparable as a non-clinical, community-first mental health support organization serving the Indian population.

Broad incumbents

• Headspace: Global mental wellness app offering guided meditation, mindfulness content, and therapy. Comparable as a digital mental wellness platform providing education and self-help content, though commercial and consumer-facing rather than community-anchored.
• BetterHelp: Largest global online therapy marketplace connecting users with licensed therapists. Comparable as a digital platform for affordable, on-demand therapy sessions, though serving a higher-income segment globally rather than India's underserved.

Emerging players

• Lyra Health: Mental health benefits platform for employers offering therapy, coaching, and self-care tools. Comparable in its workplace/corporate mental health focus, including B2B partnerships similar to MINDS's Cadbury and Fiama collaborations.
• YourDOST: India-based online counseling and emotional wellness platform serving students and corporates. Comparable as an India-focused, affordable online counseling and mental wellness platform with corporate partnerships similar to MINDS's CPG collaborations.
• Wysa: AI-driven mental health chatbot and therapy platform headquartered in India/global. Comparable as an India-rooted, technology-enabled mental wellness platform serving consumers and employers with affordable, scalable support.
• Manastha: Indian online mental health counseling and therapy platform connecting users with therapists. Comparable as an affordable, India-focused digital therapy provider, though operates as a for-profit rather than non-profit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/mindsfoundation
• Xx.com/mindsfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/themindsfoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Minds Foundation