AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION- ABOUT US
We are an 80G certified, Government recognised Not-For-Profit organization. We are India’s largest social impact initiative for cyber safety.
Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated exclusively to cyber safety education, prevention, awareness, and victim support. Established with the vision of making cyberspace safe for all, the Foundation works at the intersection of public awareness, law enforcement training, digital literacy, victim empowerment, and institutional capacity building.
The Foundation has built a large-scale cyber safety movement across India through structured workshops, public campaigns, school and college programmes, corporate awareness sessions, and enforcement-focused training. Its work covers critical areas including financial frauds, cyber grooming, cyber stalking, cyber bullying, blackmail threats, data theft, morphing, deepfake and AI-enabled scams, OSINT, and forensic investigation.
Akancha Srivastava Foundation has worked with law enforcement agencies, state police departments, and the Indian Army, supporting capacity building in cybercrime prevention, digital forensics, risk assessment, and investigation awareness. The Foundation also plays a strong public education role by helping citizens understand emerging online threats and take preventive action before harm occurs.
A key pillar of the Foundation’s work is victim support. Through its dedicated email helpline, (Previously) multilingual AI-powered cyber safety chat support, and access to senior cybercrime legal experts, the Foundation bridges the gap between citizens, law enforcement, and specialist resources. This approach helps victims receive structured guidance, preserve evidence, understand reporting pathways, and seek appropriate legal support.
Akancha Srivastava Foundation has conducted over 2,000 cyber safety workshops across India, covering schools, colleges, corporates, public institutions, law enforcement agencies, and community platforms. Its work addresses critical digital risks including financial frauds, cyber bullying, cyber stalking, cyber grooming, online blackmail, morphing, data theft, deepfake and AI-enabled scams, OSINT, and forensic investigation.
The Foundation also conceptualised and led an AI-powered multilingual cyber safety chat helpline that won the Canada Fintech Award (for Haptik who built the helpline) for applying artificial intelligence to social good at scale. This recognition reflects the Foundation’s commitment to using technology responsibly for awareness, victim support, and access to justice.
The Foundation’s impact spans millions of citizens through high-reach digital campaigns, on-ground workshops, institutional partnerships, and public safety messaging. Its work is supported by senior law enforcement leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, technology professionals, and public-interest partners who share its commitment to safer digital behaviour.
Under the leadership of Akancha Srivastava, the Foundation has evolved into a trusted national platform for cyber safety, combining credibility, scale, prevention education, and citizen-first support to strengthen India’s digital resilience.
OUR VISION IS TO MAKE CYBER SPACE SAFE FOR ALL
Our vision is to make cyberspace safe, responsible, and accessible for every citizen.
Akancha Srivastava Foundation believes that cyber safety must become a basic life skill, not a specialised subject limited to experts. As digital dependence grows across education, banking, communication, work, governance, and personal relationships, every citizen must know how to identify online risks, protect personal information, respond to cybercrime, and seek help without fear or shame.
The Foundation’s vision is to build a safer digital society through prevention-led education, early awareness, institutional capacity building, and structured victim support. It aims to empower children, parents, educators, professionals, senior citizens, law enforcement agencies, and communities with practical cyber safety knowledge that can reduce harm before it occurs.
At its core, the Foundation works towards a future where citizens are alert, institutions are prepared, victims are supported, and technology is used with responsibility, dignity, and trust.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to educate, empower, and bridge.
Akancha Srivastava Foundation works to prevent cybercrime through structured awareness, practical education, and behaviour-led cyber safety training. The Foundation simplifies complex digital risks for citizens, children, parents, educators, professionals, and vulnerable groups so they can recognise threats early and protect themselves with confidence.
The Foundation empowers victims and communities with access to credible information, reporting guidance, evidence-preservation support, and legal resources. Its work focuses on reducing fear, confusion, and silence around cybercrime by helping people understand their rights, their options, and the correct pathways to seek help.
The Foundation also acts as a bridge between citizens, institutions, law enforcement, legal experts, educators, and technology stakeholders. By connecting awareness with action, prevention with response, and victims with support systems, the Foundation strengthens India’s digital resilience and builds a safer, more accountable cyberspace.
ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
Akancha Srivastava is one of India’s most influential voices in cyber safety and the Founder of Akancha Srivastava Foundation, India’s largest social impact initiative dedicated to cyber safety education, prevention, and victim support.
A nationally respected changemaker and strategic communicator, she has built a large-scale movement focused on digital literacy, cyber hygiene, risk awareness, institutional preparedness, and victim empowerment. Her work is anchored in a clear belief: cyber safety is foundational to modern life.
Under her leadership, the Foundation conducts advanced training in cybercrime investigation, risk assessment, and digital forensics for law enforcement agencies, state police forces, and the Indian Army. It also leads preventive workshops across schools, colleges, corporates, public institutions, and community platforms, helping citizens recognise digital threats early and respond with clarity.
The Foundation provides structured victim support through a dedicated email helpline, multilingual AI-powered cyber safety chat support, and a one-of-a-kind legal cell that connects victims to senior cybercrime litigation experts, closing a critical gap in access to justice.
Akancha’s two-decade legacy as Founder of Azure Brands Solutions, a top-tier brand strategy firm, powers her current mission by bringing strategic precision, influence, and large-scale execution to India’s cyber safety movement.
She is frequently invited by government bodies, education boards, enforcement stakeholders, and digital platforms to contribute to conversations on online safety, cyber ethics, policy frameworks, and social transformation.
Respected for her clarity, discipline, and uncompromising moral courage, Akancha Srivastava stands at the frontlines of India’s cyber safety revolution, steering citizens, institutions, and public discourse toward a safer digital future.
To connect or collaborate: TeamAkancha@gmail.com
Navniet Sekera
Additional Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh
Navniet Sekera is a senior Indian Police Service officer of the 1996 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre, with an educational background in Computer Science. His official Uttar Pradesh Police profile lists him as Navniet Sekera, IPS-RR 1996.
His support has been invaluable to the Akancha Srivastava Foundation, especially because credibility with law enforcement is central to serious cyber safety work. His association strengthens the Foundation’s standing with police ecosystems and reinforces the importance of prevention, investigation awareness, and public trust.
Dr. Poonam Verma
Principal, SSCBS, University of Delhi
Dr. Poonam Verma is the Principal of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, University of Delhi. Her official college profile states that she joined the University of Delhi in 1985 and has taught undergraduate and postgraduate students across leading institutions of the University.
Her guidance has been invaluable in strengthening the Foundation’s education-led approach to cyber safety. Her support connects the mission with academic credibility, youth engagement, responsible digital behaviour, and structured awareness across learning ecosystems.
Vivek Lath
Founder & Managing Director, GoQuest Media Ventures
Vivek Lath is the Founder and Managing Director of GoQuest Media, an independent content distribution company associated with international drama and scripted formats across global streaming and television platforms.
His support has been invaluable in helping the Foundation think beyond traditional awareness models and reach wider audiences through media, storytelling, and entertainment-led amplification. His experience in content, distribution, partnerships, and digital audiences strengthens the Foundation’s ability to make cyber safety mainstream.
WHAT ARE OUR FOCUS AREAS?
Akancha Srivastava Foundation focuses on the most urgent and rapidly evolving areas of cyber safety, combining public awareness, prevention education, victim support, and institutional capacity building.
Financial Frauds
Financial cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing threats faced by citizens today. The Foundation educates people on phishing, OTP fraud, UPI scams, fake investment schemes, loan app fraud, identity misuse, impersonation calls, and social engineering attacks. Our work helps citizens recognise warning signs early, preserve evidence, report correctly, and avoid panic-driven mistakes.
Cyber Grooming
Children and young people are increasingly exposed to predators through gaming platforms, social media, chat apps, and anonymous online spaces. The Foundation creates awareness around grooming patterns, emotional manipulation, secrecy-building, fake identities, and coercion. Our programmes help children, parents, teachers, and institutions identify early signs of risk and respond responsibly.
Cyber Stalking
Cyber stalking can cause deep emotional distress and often escalates when ignored or mishandled. The Foundation educates users on repeated unwanted contact, location tracking, fake profiles, harassment, monitoring, intimidation, and misuse of personal information. We also guide victims on evidence preservation, platform reporting, and escalation to appropriate authorities.
Cyber Bullying
Cyber bullying affects children, teenagers, professionals, and public figures alike. The Foundation addresses online abuse, shaming, trolling, threats, exclusion, impersonation, and targeted harassment through practical awareness programmes. Our work focuses on prevention, responsible digital behaviour, bystander action, and support for victims.
Morphing and Image Misuse
Morphed images, edited visuals, and non-consensual image circulation can severely damage dignity, reputation, and mental wellbeing. The Foundation educates citizens on how such abuse occurs, how to secure personal images, how to respond without fear, and how to preserve digital evidence for reporting and legal action.
Online Blackmail and Threats
Blackmail through intimate images, financial coercion, impersonation, or reputational threats is a serious cybercrime. The Foundation helps citizens understand that silence often strengthens the offender. Our awareness programmes explain safe response steps, documentation, reporting channels, and the importance of seeking timely support.
Deepfake and AI-Enabled Scams
AI has made cybercrime more sophisticated through deepfake videos, cloned voices, fake identities, synthetic images, and highly convincing fraud attempts. The Foundation educates citizens and institutions on how AI-enabled deception works, how to verify digital content, and how to stay alert against new forms of manipulation.
Data Theft
Personal and organisational data is increasingly targeted through weak passwords, unsafe links, poor device hygiene, unsecured networks, and careless sharing. The Foundation promotes practical cyber hygiene, including strong authentication, privacy settings, safe browsing, device security, and responsible handling of sensitive information.
OSINT Awareness
Open Source Intelligence can be used responsibly for investigation, but it can also expose individuals to risk when personal information is publicly available online. The Foundation trains citizens and institutions to understand digital footprints, reduce unnecessary exposure, and recognise how public data can be misused by offenders.
Forensic Investigation
Digital evidence is often the foundation of a cybercrime case. The Foundation supports capacity building around basic digital evidence awareness, preservation, documentation, and cybercrime investigation processes. Through its work with law enforcement and institutional stakeholders, it strengthens the practical understanding of cybercrime response.
EMERITUS
RK Vij
Former Special Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh
RK Vij is a retired 1988-batch IPS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and has served at senior levels including Director General of Police. His professional profile also records his service in the United Nations Peace Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he was awarded the Peace Medal. His association brings deep enforcement credibility to the Foundation’s work, especially in cyber harassment, cyber stalking, cyber bullying, and citizen protection.
Krishna Prakash
Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra
Krishna Prakash is a senior Maharashtra cadre IPS officer and has held major policing responsibilities, including leadership roles in Maharashtra Police and Pimpri-Chinchwad Police. He is also known as the first Indian civil servant to complete the Ironman Triathlon, reflecting discipline, endurance, and public leadership beyond uniformed service. His support strengthens the Foundation’s standing with enforcement institutions and reinforces the seriousness of cyber safety as a public protection issue.
Dr. Ritesh Malik
Founder, INNOV8
Dr. Ritesh Malik is a medical doctor turned entrepreneur and the Founder of Innov8 Coworking, a Y Combinator-backed venture that scaled to more than 60 locations across India. His work sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, innovation, and large-scale impact. His support adds credibility to the Foundation’s technology-led approach, especially in using digital platforms, AI, and scalable models for social good.
Princess Diya Kumari
Deputy Chief Minister, Rajasthan
Princess Diya Kumari serves as Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan and represents Vidhyadhar Nagar as MLA. Her public profile also reflects work across heritage, public service, institutional leadership, and women-focused social initiatives through the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation. Her association reinforces the Foundation’s credibility with public leadership, governance networks, and citizen-facing social impact.
DIRECTOR- KANCHAN KUMAR
Co Founder
Truly Financial
Kanchan is the Co-founder & CEO of Truly Financial, a global fintech platform simplifying cross-border money movement for modern businesses. A serial entrepreneur for over two decades across six countries, he has built, scaled, and exited multiple ventures.
He has been associated with the Akancha Srivastava Foundation since its inception, deeply aligned with its mission. A sought-after speaker, he has shared insights at global platforms including World Bank Forums, GITEX Dubai, and Techstars. His expertise spans product, strategy, and partnerships, driving impact in a borderless world.
OUR PARTNERS – STRONGER TOGETHER
Cyber safety becomes a national movement only when trusted institutions use their reach, infrastructure, and credibility to carry the message forward. Our partners helped take cyber safety beyond closed-room conversations and place it directly in front of citizens, families, students, customers, and enforcement ecosystems.
Each collaboration strengthened the Foundation’s ability to make online safety practical, visible, and mainstream.
State Bank of India
State Bank of India is India’s largest banking and financial services organisation, serving over 500 million customers through more than 23,000 branches, 63,000 ATMs and ADWMs, and 82,000 banking correspondent outlets. This scale made SBI Foundation’s support deeply significant for a cyber safety movement focused on financial fraud prevention and public protection.
SBI Foundation entrusted the Akancha Srivastava Foundation with critical law enforcement training at a time when financial cybercrimes were rapidly increasing across India. The collaboration strengthened our work with police and investigation ecosystems, helping frontline officers better understand emerging digital fraud patterns, evidence handling, and citizen protection.
Paytm
Paytm is one of India’s leading digital payments platforms. The company states that it started India’s digital revolution, became India’s leading payments app, and powers more than 44 million merchants and businesses to accept payments digitally.
Our long-standing collaboration with Paytm focused on educating users about the mindful and safe use of digital payments and technology. In a high-volume fintech environment, user awareness is not only a public safety priority, it also helps reduce fraud exposure, customer distress, platform friction, and reputation risk. Together, we helped make cyber safety more practical for everyday digital consumers.
INOX
INOX used the strength of cinema infrastructure to take cyber safety messaging to mainstream audiences. PVR INOX is now India’s largest and most premium film exhibitor, with 1,743 screens across 111 locations in India and Sri Lanka.
This collaboration was a powerful example of public awareness through captive, high-attention environments. Cyber safety messages on cinema screens reached families, young audiences, and general citizens in a relaxed setting where they were more receptive to absorbing clear prevention messages. It transformed entertainment infrastructure into a public education channel.
Jeevansathi
Jeevansathi is one of India’s leading and most trusted matrimonial platforms, with over 10 lakh profiles and safety features including profile checks, privacy controls, and verification systems.
Our collaboration addressed a serious digital safety need within online matchmaking, where users may face risks such as impersonation, emotional manipulation, catfishing, and fraud. By conducting cyber safety workshops across prestigious colleges and universities, we reached young adults who form a key audience for matrimonial and relationship platforms. Educating users reduces harm, strengthens platform trust, lowers complaint friction, and protects brand reputation.
GoQuest Media
GoQuest Media is a leading independent global distributor of entertainment content, specialising in international drama and scripted formats, with titles placed across platforms including JioStar, Globoplay, SBS, VOYO, and Telemundo.
GoQuest helped the Foundation expand cyber safety awareness through its popular entertainment and Bollywood-linked digital audience networks. This support enabled cyber safety content to travel beyond formal education and enforcement spaces into high-consumption digital entertainment environments, helping the Foundation reach wider public audiences through channels people already followed and trusted.
STAGE
STAGE is India’s leading dialect-based OTT platform, built around regional entertainment in Haryanvi, Rajasthani, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Marathi content. Its platform carries 2,000+ titles and focuses on taking authentic local stories to audiences beyond mainstream metropolitan markets.
Our collaboration with STAGE helped take cyber safety awareness into Tier 2 and Tier 3 India, including regions such as Bhiwani in Haryana. This partnership was valuable because cyber safety must reach citizens in their own language, cultural context, and everyday media environment, not remain limited to urban digital literacy conversations.