Safe Access
Safe Access is an India-based non-profit that provides LGBTQ+ individuals with a vetted directory of 161 affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities, a confidential peer-support helpline in 15 languages, India's first PrEP/PEP locator, and sexual/reproductive health education — all free to users and funded by donations and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- Headquarters—
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Safe Access does
Safe Access is a community-led, non-profit initiative operating as a flagship project under Qequal Foundation, a Section 8 Not-for-Profit registered in India. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New Delhi, the organization focuses on enabling access to affirmative healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities across India. It is funded entirely through individual donations (restricted to Indian citizens in INR under 80G tax-deductibility) and grants from foundations including Rise Up, Echoing Green, and Unleash.
The core product is an integrated web platform (safeaccess.co.in) combining four service pillars: a curated directory of 161 LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities; a confidential peer-support helpline staffed by trained community volunteers speaking 15 languages with phone-number masking for privacy; the QueerLips digital Q&A platform for sexual and reproductive health questions answered by trained professionals; and India's first PrEP/PEP locator covering all 28 states and 8 union territories. Supporting programs include the Queer and Trans Resource Center (curated articles and guides), the 12-month Community Wellbeing Project (peer-support training in partnership with Mariwala Health Initiative faculty), the Safe Access Fellowship (provider-sensitization program), and advocacy campaigns such as TransFormNow and Yours, Queerly.
All services are free to end users, and the organization's GTM is community-led via Instagram, newsletters, partner events, and referral networks (TWEET Foundation, Transmen-collective, TAPISH Foundation, Nyaaya, LGBTQIA+ Centre, GLAD, Misfyt, Genderse, medum). The leadership team of 1-10 is led by Founder and CEO Shubham, with functional leads across Programs & Strategy (Dhaval), Public Health (Dr. Swathi), Communications, Programs, and Fellowship, supplemented by mental-health consultants from Mariwala Health Initiative. The platform has no mobile app, no public API, and no disclosed AI/ML components; technology is positioned as a directory and information layer rather than a software-as-a-service product.
Safe Access firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Safe Access
- Legal name
- Safe Access (A project under Qequal Foundation, a Section 8 Not-for-Profit registered company)
- Website
- https://safeaccess.co.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Safe Access is an India-based non-profit that provides LGBTQ+ individuals with a vetted directory of 161 affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities, a confidential peer-support helpline in 15 languages, India's first PrEP/PEP locator, and sexual/reproductive health education — all free to users and funded by donations and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Safe Access industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQ+ Healthcare Navigation Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Individual and Family Services (6241), Social Assistance (624)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sexual & Pelvic Health Telehealth (STI care, pelvic pain, endometriosis/PCOS support) (HLALAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Secure Communication & Collaboration (Secure Messaging/Email/Teleconferencing) (HLACAJAM)
Keywords
Safe Access business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Safe Access operates as a not-for-profit organization funded entirely through donations from individuals and grants from making organizations. Donations are tax-deductible through 80G certification. The organization currently accepts donations only from Indian citizens in Indian Rupees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Free | Free platform for LGBTQ+ community |
| Freemium | Free | Free community events and webinars |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Safe Access product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Safe Access provides free LGBTQ+ affirmative healthcare navigation services across India through a curated directory of 161 vetted affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities, a confidential peer support helpline staffed by trained LGBTQ+ community members speaking 15 languages, the QueerLips Q&A platform for sexual and reproductive health questions, India's first PrEP-PEP locator, and a resource center with educational articles. All services are provided at no cost to community members, funded by donations and grants, with the organization operating as a flagship project under Qequal Foundation.
Product overview
Safe Access is a community-led initiative and a flagship project under Qequal Foundation, operating as a digital healthcare access platform focused on enabling affirmative healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities across India. The platform functions as an integrated ecosystem combining: a directory of 161 vetted LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities; a peer support helpline staffed by trained community volunteers speaking 15 languages; the QueerLips digital Q&A mascot platform for sexual and reproductive health information; India's first PrEP-PEP locator for HIV prevention; a curated resource center with articles and guides; and advocacy campaigns including TransFormNow and Yours, Queerly. The Community Wellbeing Project provides structured peer support training, while the Fellowship program builds grassroots capacity. The platform does not operate as a traditional SaaS product with technical integrations but rather as an information and referral service connecting LGBTQ+ individuals with affirming healthcare providers and support services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- QueerLips: A non-binary digital character mascot serving as the organization's go-to buddy for LGBTQ+ sexual and reproductive health information and Q&A service.
- Queering the Sex-Ed
- Community Wellbeing Project (CWP)
- Safe Access Fellowship
Products and services
- Find Affirmative Health Providers
Quantifiable outcome
- 161 LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities in India
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Safe Access
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Safe Access technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Safe Access partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.
- Qequal FoundationcoreSafe Access is a flagship project under Qequal Foundation, a Section 8 Not-for-Profit registered company. Qequal Foundation serves as the parent organization providing organizational structure and mission alignment for Safe Access's LGBTQ+ healthcare initiatives.
- Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI)coreCWP is implemented in partnership with Gauri, Pooja, and Shruti, queer mental health practitioners and faculty at MHI's Queer Affirmative Counselling Practice Certificate Course. The program enhances and extends the PSP module developed by MHI.
- TAPISH FoundationsecondaryCollaboration partner for 'Power of Peer Support' workshop held in Indore. TAPISH Foundation works with queer and trans communities in Madhya Pradesh.
- NyaayasecondaryCollaboration partner for 'Queer Love & Laws' Valentine's Day Instagram Live AMA event focused on LGBTQ+ legal rights regarding healthcare, housing, and relationships.
- Law Schools' Queer Alliance (LSQA)secondaryJoint organizer of panel discussion on conversion therapy, bringing together voices of LGBTQIA+ civil society, mental health community, and legal community.
- GendersesecondaryCollaboration partner for 'Binder, Bodies and Belonging' interactive Zoom session on chest binding, trans health, and wellbeing. Genderse is India's first gender-affirming chest binder brand.
- LGBTQIA+ CentresecondaryHosting partner for India premiere of 'Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer' film screening in New Delhi. LGBTQIA+ Centre provides the venue for community events.
- GLAD FoundationminorCommunity partner for India premiere of 'Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer' film screening event.
- Misfyt Trans Youth FoundationminorCommunity partner for India premiere of 'Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer' film screening event.
- TWEET FoundationminorCommunity partner for TransFormNow campaign advocating for inclusive healthcare intake forms. TWEET Foundation focuses on empowering transmasculine communities.
- Transmen-collectiveminorCommunity partner for TransFormNow campaign advocating for transgender-inclusive healthcare intake forms.
- medumminorCommunity partner for TransFormNow campaign advocating for transgender-inclusive healthcare intake forms.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Safe Access competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Queerala: Kerala-based LGBTQ+ advocacy and health non-profit supporting queer and trans individuals through counseling, healthcare access and community programming. Directly comparable in mission and program mix.
- Sahodaran Foundation: Chennai-based LGBTQ+ community organization offering health, wellbeing and affirmative support services. Comparable peer in India's LGBTQ+ health navigation and peer-support space, focused on a regional cluster.
- Sangama: Bangalore-based sexual minorities' rights organization offering HIV prevention, sexual health, and crisis support services. Directly comparable as an LGBTQ+ health non-profit serving an Indian urban population.
- The Humsafar Trust: Mumbai-based LGBTQ+ organization providing health outreach, HIV prevention, and affirmative support services to MSM and trans communities in India. Directly comparable as a community-led LGBTQ+ health non-profit operating across India.
- Point of View: Mumbai-based feminist and queer rights organization addressing gender and sexuality issues through research, advocacy and community programming. Comparable as a queer-affirming social services non-profit in India.
- Sappho for Equality: Kolkata-based organization supporting LBT persons in India through health, legal and community interventions. Comparable peer delivering affirmative healthcare navigation and advocacy for an LGBTQ+ sub-population.
- Tarshi: India-based sexual and reproductive health and rights organization delivering resources, publications and counseling. Comparable as a non-profit delivering SRHR education and information through community channels.
- Naz Foundation (India) Trust: One of India's longest-standing LGBTQ+ rights and health organizations, delivering HIV prevention, affirmative care, and community programming. Highly comparable as a non-profit serving similar LGBTQ+ populations in India with overlapping programmatic pillars.
Emerging players
- Mariwala Health Initiative: Indian mental health-focused philanthropy funding queer affirmative counseling practice and capacity building. Already a Safe Access partner; comparable as a capacity-building organization in the LGBTQ+ mental health ecosystem in India.
Regional players
- MIST: Mumbai-based LGBTQ+ support organization providing helplines, counseling and affirmative healthcare referrals. Comparable as a peer-support and healthcare-navigation provider focused on India's queer and trans populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Safe Access social profiles
Digital presenceSafe Access financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Safe Access leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Safe Access funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Safe Access M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Safe Access
What does Safe Access do?
Safe Access provides free LGBTQ+ affirmative healthcare navigation services across India through a curated directory of 161 vetted affirming healthcare providers across 31 cities, a confidential peer support helpline staffed by trained LGBTQ+ community members speaking 15 languages, the QueerLips Q&A platform for sexual and reproductive health questions, India's first PrEP-PEP locator, and a resource center with educational articles. All services are provided at no cost to community members, funded by donations and grants, with the organization operating as a flagship project under Qequal Foundation.
Is Safe Access a public or private company?
Safe Access is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Safe Access founded?
Safe Access was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
How does Safe Access make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Grants.
Who are Safe Access's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Queerala, Sahodaran Foundation, Sangama, The Humsafar Trust, Point of View, Sappho for Equality, Tarshi and Naz Foundation (India) Trust. Mariwala Health Initiative is listed as an emerging player. MIST is listed as a regional player.
Does Safe Access have an API?
No public API is recorded for Safe Access.
What industry is Safe Access in?
Safe Access's product category is LGBTQ+ Healthcare Navigation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLALAHAJ, Sexual & Pelvic Health Telehealth (STI care, pelvic pain, endometriosis/PCOS support), with a secondary code of HLACAJAM, Secure Communication & Collaboration (Secure Messaging/Email/Teleconferencing). Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.