What Aastrika Foundation does

Aastrika Foundation is a Bengaluru-based Section 8 non-profit, founded in 2019 by Dr. Janhavi Nilekani and supported by Nilekani Philanthropies, that operates a portfolio of capacity-building programs aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in India. The organization works on four stated challenges: inadequate care ('Too Little, Too Late'), excessive medical intervention ('Too Much, Too Soon'), widespread disrespect and abuse in childbirth, and low demand for high-quality care. Its stated mission is to reach 25 million women annually by 2030. The organization engages primarily with state health departments (Karnataka, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat), nursing councils (INC, TNAI, Maharashtra, TNNMC, BNRC), and development sector partners (UNICEF, Jhpiego, Piramal Foundation, IHAT, NHSRC, UP-TSU).

The core product portfolio comprises Aastrika Sphere Digital (a SCORM-compliant, multi-language, multi-device, low-bandwidth LMS with 400+ courses, 300,000+ registered users, 400,000+ certificates issued, and 18,000,000+ CNE hours logged), Aastrika Sphere In-Person (workshops and immersive adult-learning programs with 315+ sessions delivered and 7,600+ healthcare professionals trained across 44+ partner institutions), E-Kshamata (a state-deployed competency platform built on the FRAC — Framework of Roles, Activities, and Competencies — supporting ANM/CHO workforce development in Bihar, UP, and other states), and the Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery (NPM) program (an 18-month pathway supporting Government of India NMTI/SMTI sites, with the first practitioner batch completing in November 2024 at SMTI Mysore and the third SMTI opening in Belagavi in January 2025).

Aastrika operates a philanthropic revenue model with all digital courses and in-person training provided free of charge to healthcare workers and government partners, funded primarily through Nilekani Philanthropies and institutional grants. Distribution follows a hybrid motion: self-serve digital registration by individual healthcare workers; direct institutional sales of in-person training to public hospitals, medical colleges, and select private facilities (Bloom Women's Centre, Ovum Hospital); and government partnerships formalizing E-Kshamata deployments and NPM program support. A sister organization, Aastrika Midwifery Centre (operated by AastarUrmika Health Care Pvt Ltd at Vasavi Hospital, Bengaluru), functions as a service-delivery center of excellence.

Name

Aastrika Foundation

Legal name

Aastrika Foundation

Website

https://aastrika.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aastrika Foundation is a Bengaluru-based non-profit that builds maternal healthcare workforce capacity in India through digital learning (Aastrika Sphere, E-Kshamata), in-person midwifery workshops, and the Government of India's Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery program across 7+ states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maternal Health Workforce Capacity Building & Midwifery Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), eLearning & Microlearning Module Development (EDAGAKAD)

Keywords

• Maternal health training
• Midwifery education
• Healthcare capacity building
• Continuing nursing education
• Professional midwifery training

Headquarters

HQ city

Bengaluru

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic/Grant Funding: As a Section 8 nonprofit company, Aastrika Foundation is primarily funded through philanthropic grants and donations. The organization is supported by Nilekani Philanthropies as its primary financial backer. Additional funding comes from institutional donors supporting specific programs such as the NPM program, digital platform development, and advocacy initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Aastrika Foundation operates digital and in-person learning programs that build the capacity of India's healthcare workforce in maternal health and professional midwifery. Its core offerings are the Aastrika Sphere Digital e-learning platform, the Aastrika Sphere In-Person workshops, the E-Kshamata digital upskilling platform, and capacity-building support for the Government of India's National Midwifery Mission, all delivered free to learners under a Section 8 non-profit structure backed by Nilekani Philanthropies.

Product overview

Aastrika Foundation operates a multi-product ecosystem focused on transforming maternal healthcare in India through capacity building and professional midwifery training. The core offerings include Aastrika Sphere Digital (a scalable digital learning platform offering certificate courses and CNE credits), Aastrika Sphere In-Person (hands-on training programmes using immersive adult learning methodologies), and E-Kshamata (a competency-based digital platform for government workforce development using the FRAC framework). The Foundation also supports the Government of India's Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery (NPM) Program through National and State Midwifery Training Institutes. Additional specialized workshops cover Respectful Maternity Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Active Birth, Biomechanics for Birth, Rebozo technique, and Vaginal Breech Birth. The Foundation's sister organization, Aastrika Midwifery Centre, operates a birth center in Bangalore demonstrating best practices in ethical, evidence-based maternity care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aastrika Sphere: Digital and in-person learning platform for healthcare professionals offering certificate courses, CNE points, and skill-building programs.
• Aastrika Sphere Digital
• Aastrika Sphere In-Person
• NPM Program (Nurse Practitioner in Midwifery)
• E-Kshamata

Products and services

• Aastrika Sphere Digital Free-to-learner e-learning platform delivering SCORM-compliant, multi-language courses for nurses, midwives, and other maternal health practitioners in India, aligned to the FRAC competency framework and INC-recognized CNE credits.
• Aastrika Sphere In-Person In-person training workshop track covering respectful maternity care, evidence-based practice, active birth, induction of labour, postnatal care, and obstetric violence modules for nurses, midwives, and ANMs in India.
• E-Kshamata Digital learning platform that upskills practicing ANMs, nurses, and midwives in India, delivered in multiple languages with competency-based content aligned to NMM priorities.
• National Midwifery Mission (NMM) Capacity Building Program Institutional capacity building programme supporting the Government of India's National Midwifery Mission, delivered via MOUs with state and national health bodies to create a cadre of professional midwives across India.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,565 ANC assessments by trainee midwives; 6,238 births with RMC by trainee midwives; 99% births with birth companions; 99% births in alternative positions; 21% episiotomy rate by trainee midwives
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UNICEF IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner with the Department of Health, Government of Karnataka for the NPM Program launch event in Bengaluru (2023). UNICEF provides technical support and advocacy for professional midwifery in India.
• National Health Mission (NHM), KarnatakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernmental partner for the NPM program implementation in Karnataka. NHM Karnataka collaborates with Aastrika Foundation and NMTI/SMTI institutions to build professional midwifery capacity across the state.
• Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of KarnatakacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU signed in 2022 for the NPM program. The department provides institutional support for NMTI at Vanivilas Hospital and SMTIs across Karnataka.
• Vasavi HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVasavi Hospital in Bangalore hosts Aastrika Midwifery Centre, a center of excellence for ethical, evidence-based, women-centric maternity care operated by AastarUrmika Health Care Pvt Ltd.
• Uttar Pradesh Technical Support Unit (UP-TSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAastrika Sphere is collaborating with UP-TSU to roll out the E-Kshamata competency-based capacity building solution covering all health workers in Uttar Pradesh.
• National Health Systems Resources Centre (NHSRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAastrika Sphere collaborated with NHSRC to develop digital courses on the new Expanded Service Care Packages (ESCPs) of Ayushman Bharat for ASHAs and MPWs.
• India Health Action Trust (IHAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE-Kshamata implementation partner in Uttar Pradesh delivering competency-based training for ANMs in collaboration with the state government. Also involved in Newborn Stabilization Units OSCE-based assessments.
• JhpiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for Mission Unnayan in Bihar alongside Bihar Nurses Registration Council. Jhpiego supports ANM training and competency development through the E-Kshamata platform.
• Piramal FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for Mission Unnayan in Bihar alongside Bihar Nurses Registration Council and Jhpiego for ANM training through E-Kshamata.
• Manyata for Mothers / FOGSImajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted partner providing digital training on 16 Manyata Clinical Standards for private healthcare facilities certified by FOGSI, addressing identified staff training gaps.
• Fernandez FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitial collaboration on the first Respectful Maternity Care course launched in 2020. Collaborates on course content and midwifery program development. Also partners on Voices of Change initiative.
• Maternity Foundation, EngenderHealth, PATH, UNFPA, White Ribbon Alliance (WRAI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizations collaborate with Aastrika Sphere to curate and deliver digital courses aligned with their programme priorities, helping reach targeted healthcare workers with high-quality training.
• Indian Nursing Council (INC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINC has recognized courses developed by Aastrika Sphere and awarded 57.5 CNE credit hours. Healthcare professionals across India can use these credits for license renewal and continuing professional development.
• Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough portal integration, TNAI members can directly access Aastrika Sphere Digital and its learning resources, enabling seamless onboarding and supporting continuous professional development.
• Maharashtra Nursing CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enables nurses in Maharashtra to access free online CNE courses on Aastrika Sphere Digital for license renewal requirements.
• Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council (TNNMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTNNMC portal integration provides nurses across Tamil Nadu access to high-quality digital courses, including BSc Nursing elective subjects.
• Bihar Nurses Registration Council (BNRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNRC leads Mission Unnayan in Bihar, using E-Kshamata as the competency-based digital platform for nursing quality reform across the state.
• University of Gothenburg, SwedenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership studying implementation of professional midwifery in India, including midwifery education, capacity-building initiatives, midwife-led care units, and acceptance of midwifery. Published research papers on these topics.
• EkStep FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInspired Aastrika Sphere through Societal Platform Thinking. Aastrika participated in 'People Plus: Building for Billions' event hosted by EkStep Foundation and the Sunbird Community.
• Societal ThinkingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInspiration for Aastrika Sphere's platform thinking approach. Aastrika participated in Societal Thinking Ecosystem Meetup in Mysore (2024).
• Johns Hopkins University (JHU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with State Institute of Health and Family Welfare (SIHFW), JHU delivers Foundation Training for Medical Officers using the E-Kshamata platform in Uttar Pradesh.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PATH: Global nonprofit focused on maternal and child health innovation and workforce capacity building. Collaborates with Aastrika Sphere on digital course curation, comparable in scope of digital training for healthcare workers in low-resource settings.
• India Health Action Trust (IHAT): India-based public health organization supporting UP Technical Support Unit. Direct implementation partner with Aastrika on E-Kshamata for ANM training and competency development in Uttar Pradesh.
• EngenderHealth: International nonprofit working on sexual and reproductive health and rights including maternal health workforce capacity building. Collaborates with Aastrika Sphere on digital course delivery to targeted healthcare workers.
• Jhpiego: Global health nonprofit affiliated with Johns Hopkins focused on maternal and newborn health workforce training. Direct partner with Aastrika on Mission Unnayan in Bihar for ANM training and competency development through the E-Kshamata platform.
• Fernandez Foundation: India-based maternal health organization and original collaborator on Aastrika's first Respectful Maternity Care course in 2020. Operates a hospital focused on women-centric care and professional midwifery, directly comparable to Aastrika Midwifery Centre.
• White Ribbon Alliance: Global advocacy organization for respectful maternity care and women's health rights. Aastrika endorses the WRA Respectful Maternity Care Charter and collaborates on digital course curation, making it thematically and operationally aligned.
• Piramal Foundation: Indian philanthropic foundation focused on health system strengthening. Direct implementation partner with Aastrika on Mission Unnayan in Bihar for ANM training, with comparable focus on public health workforce capacity building.
• Maternity Foundation: Denmark-based nonprofit working on maternal health and midwifery training globally, including the Safe Delivery App. Collaborates with Aastrika Sphere on digital course delivery to targeted healthcare workers.
• UNICEF India: UN agency providing technical support for maternal health and the NPM program in India. Co-partner with Aastrika and Karnataka DoHFW on the NPM launch event, with overlapping mandates on midwifery capacity building.

Broad incumbents

• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund): Global UN agency driving midwifery education and maternal health standards worldwide. Collaborates with Aastrika Sphere on digital course curation and operates at a much larger scale across multiple countries with overlapping midwifery workforce mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Aastrika_fndn
• Facebookfacebook.com/Aastrika
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aastrika-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Aastrika Foundation