Programs & Resources

At Accompany Capital we create paths to success and self-sufficiency for immigrants & refugees – as well as other fellow New Yorkers. We don’t just support our clients with affordable loans, we continue to support them with:

Home Buying Programs

At Accompany Capital, we can help you become a first-time home – or apartment – buyer through saving programs which provide financial incentives, advice on saving money for a down payment and closing costs, and seminars about the mortgage process and the benefits & responsibilities of home ownership.

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Saving for a First Home

If you are a low to moderate-income New Yorker, we can help you qualify for one of these government-sponsored savings programs:

  • The HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides a grant up to 6% of a home’s purchase price (or $100,000, whichever is greater) to be used towards down payment and closing costs.
  • The First Home Club Matched Savings Program, which provides incentives for home buyers to open and fund a first home savings account. Qualified individuals can receive $4 for every $1 saved, with a maximum grant of $7,500.

Understanding Home Ownership

Accompany Capital’s home ownership seminars will help you understand the home purchasing process and what is involved in home ownership. The seminars are offered four times a year and fulfill the education requirement for both the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program and the First Home Club Matched Savings Program, including:

  • Understanding mortgages and the mortgage application process
  • Special down payment assistance programs
  • Benefits and responsibilities of home ownership
  • The home inspection process

For more information, contact:

Francess Smith, Manager of IDA Program
[email protected]

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Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

If you are a woman with her own small business, we help you navigate some of the special challenges that entrepreneurial women face by offering you targeted loans, tools, and training, as well as networking and support from other New York businesswomen who have shared, and understand, your journey.

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Through our partnership with organizations like New York Women in Business, we sponsor and participate in events that highlight women entrepreneurs’ stories and bring together women who are starting, building, or expanding business to learn from each other’s journeys.

Women who are not our clients are also welcome to take advantage of the many workshops we offer on every phase of entrepreneurship, from starting a business, to marketing it successfully and take it to the next level.

We have also created a speaker bureau – AC Voices – highlighting Accompany Capital clients who have successfully navigated the very diverse challenges they have faced and can tell the story compellingly at meetings, conferences, and panels to uplift other women – and men – on their journeys. Contact us to learn more about this program.


Accompany Capital works closely with Women’s Enterprise Action Loan Fund (WEALF) to benefit from referring our clients to WEALF for mentoring while WEALF refers their clients to us for larger loans. WEALF was founded 7 years ago to help women founders and their businesses become financially self-sufficient through interest-free loans of up to $10,000 and one-on-one mentoring from experienced businesswomen to maximize the impact of the loan. Since then, WEALF has been proving –  with each loan they grant – that zip code & ethnicity are no barriers to success for women entrepreneurs.

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Workshops & Webinars

Our workshops and webinars will guide you through many of the processes and skills you need to make sure your business continues to grow and thrive.

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Homebuyer Education

**This program will be online until further notice, accessible from any device 24 hours a day, 7 days a week**

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s HomeFirst
Down Payment Assistance Program provides qualified homebuyers with up to $100,000 toward the down
payment or closing costs on a 1-4 family home, a condominium, or a cooperative in one of the five boroughs
of New York City.

The following topics are covered:

  • Steps in the home buying process
  • Preparing for the expenses
  • Financial management of homeownership
  • Post-purchase tips

REGISTER HERE

Discount code: ACCOMPANYCAPITAL50
Eligibility Requirements: Click here

For more information, please contact Francess Smith at (212) 898-7850 or [email protected]

This workshop is put on through the Housing Partnership Development Corporation

 


Webinar: MWBE – Winning Bids & Contracts

Thursday, June 29th
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Via ZOOM

Who should attend

 Any minority or woman-owned business looking to break into the government contracting space.

What you will learn

During this two-hour webinar, you will listen to an eye-opening conversation between two experts with years of experience guiding entrepreneurs through the MWBE certification process. Hear insider tips and tricks on how to navigate the complex world of government contracting and increase your chances of winning bids.

After their conversation, a panel of successful MWBE entrepreneurs will share their firsthand experiences and insights on how they won government and business contracts. Get valuable advice on how to stand out from the competition and secure those coveted contracts.

By the end of this event, you will be able to:

  • Understand the MWBE certification process and how it can benefit your business
  • Identify lucrative government contracting opportunities
  • Effectively market your business to government agencies
  • Prepare your business to handle contracts you win
  • Build strong relationships with government decision-makers

REGISTER HERE

This event is presented by SCORE NYC/ NYWIB in collaboration with Accompany Capital and funding from the Amplify Fund – A project of the M&T Charitable Foundation.

 


PAST WEBINARS

MWBE Certification

Wednesday, April 19th
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM 

If you want to do business with the government, being certified as a Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) can help you to accomplish that goal! Being certified as a Minority & Women-Owned Business Enterprise

(M/WBE) gives you exclusive access to opportunities to sell to the government, to networking events, to inclusion in the City’s Online Directory of Certified Businesses, and many other benefits.

We will cover the following:

  • What is NYC M/WBE certification?
  • Benefits of being certified
  • Eligibility criteria
  • How to apply for M/WBE certification

Speaker: Paula Libreros, Loss Mitigation Officer, Accompany Capital

REGISTER HERE

This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by DIME Bank.

       


Commercial Lease Assistance Legal Clinic

Thursday, April 20th
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Accompany Capital – Queens (78-27 37th Ave. Suite 1, Jackson Heights, NY 11372)

Are you a NYC small business owner? If your business needs help with a commercial lease issue, you may be eligible for free legal services.

The Commercial Lease Assistance Program (CLA) program provides free legal representation in connection with commercial leases to underserved, small business owners who otherwise cannot afford counsel.

Join us at Accompany Capital’s Queens Office and meet with the attorneys for free 1:1 consultation to discuss any issues related to your commercial lease. If you are in the process of signing a new lease, attorneys can review your lease and advise you.

REGISTER HERE

Your appointment will be for 30 minutes. We will contact you to schedule the appointment after registration.

For more information, please contact Tsetan Dekyi at [email protected] or 845-241-3691

This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A and SBS

 

             

 


Quick Books Level 1 (Part 1)

Tuesday, April 25, 2023
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

This is Part 1 of a 2-part series of QuickBooks Level 1 class for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks. The webinar aims to help you learn the basics and understand how you can use QuickBooks to manage your business finances. The sessions will cover the following:

  • Set up your company accounts
  • Set up vendor and customer accounts
  • Manage accounts receivable/ Accounts payable
  • Pay bills
  • Make credit and debit card entries

Presenter: Paul Rosenblum, Numerex Services, Small Business Consultant, Professional Bookkeeper, a QuickBooks Certified Proadvisor

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Tshering Gurung at [email protected] or 347-730-6468

This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Capital One.

                 


Quick Books Level 1 (Part 2)

Thursday, April 27th
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series of QuickBooks Level 1 class for small business owners who are new to QuickBooks. The webinar aims to help you learn the basics and understand how you can use QuickBooks to manage your business finances. The sessions will cover the following:

  • Set up your company accounts
  • Set up vendor and customer accounts
  • Manage accounts receivable/ Accounts payable
  • Pay bills
  • Make credit and debit card entries

Presenter: Paul Rosenblum, Numerex Services, Small Business Consultant, Professional Bookkeeper, a QuickBooks Certified Proadvisor

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Tshering Gurung at [email protected] or 347-730-6468

This workshop is provided in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Capital One.

   

 


 

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Accompany Capital Marketplace

At Accompany Capital we measure impact by the people whose journeys we have been able to support, as their businesses, their families, and their communities grow and as New York’s economy and culture is enriched by their success.

Here are some of the wonderful small NYC businesses we have helped grow: please click to enjoy their wonderful products and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that makes New York the thriving, creative community it is!

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Buunni Coffee

Offering simple, delicious, natural Ethiopian coffee and blends that allowing the unique flavors of each type of single origin bean to shine through. Many of our Ethiopian coffees are certified fair-trade and organic. Others are sourced from small farms that are committed to responsible practices but cannot afford the costs of certification. All of our Ethiopian coffees come from small-holder farms and farmers cooperatives.

Website

Inca Heritage

Inca Heritage offers beautiful women’s hats, capes, coats, shawls, and dresses as well as fun children’s hats and toys, all made with 100% Premium Baby Alpaca and organic cotton from natural, organic sources, environmentally safe, and 100% free of animal cruelty.

Website

Spadét

Olive oil-based, gentle, all-natural skincare, body care, and hair care products that are safe and effective to combat early signs of aging, allergies, or skin sensitivities, giving you beautiful skin and stronger hair.

Website

Balkan Bites

Balkan Bites is a female and family-owned business that specializes in wholesome Southeast European comfort foods made with premium ingredients and authentic recipes, such as Burek, a portable stuffed phyllo swirl.

Website

Harlem Chocolate Factory

Harlem Chocolate Factory is an artisan chocolate company that strives to convey the cultural experiences of Harlem through their chocolate products, sharing their love for Harlem & Chocolate and bringing diverse voices to the forefront of the chocolate industry. Try their Brownstone Bars and their delicious bonbons and truffles!

Website

The Gilded Grape

The Gilded Grape has a strong focus on local producers, featuring wines from the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley & North Fork- even Brooklyn – and artisanal spirits such as gin, whiskey, single malts, and vodka from New York State craft distilleries, as well as other popular brands and producers.

Website

NaTakallam

Award-winning language learning, translation, interpretation & cultural exchange services, powered by refugee talent & host community members.

Website

Butcher Girls

Butcher Girls Co. is a virtual butcher shop, hand-delivering curated boxes of local, sustainable, and humanely sourced meat and fish as part of a weekly, biweekly or monthly subscription program.

Website

The Bark Shoppe

The Bark Shoppe is a premier pet care facility in Harlem, dedicated to fostering great relationships between pets and their owners. Featuring signature soap-free shampoos for your pet’s coat and sensitive skin; water-based hydrating body sprays infused with natural essences to provide a long-lasting deodorizing scent without sacrificing the natural oils in your pet’s fur; and gentle but effective combs and brushes.

Website
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Refugee IDA Savings Program

For over 20 years, Accompany Capital has been administering a specialized savings program for refugees & individuals with approved asylum-status who successfully save money and complete a financial literacy course. This Individual Development Account (IDA) program, funded by The Office of Refugee Resettlement, provides matched savings accounts designed to help refugees save for a specific purpose.

 

We are very pleased to announce that ORR has funded an IDA program for Afghan Asylees, Parolees, and SIVs who entered the US after July 31, 2021.

 

Click here to learn more in English, Pashto, or Dari.

 

Click here to download an application in English/دري/پښتو

 

For more information, please email Francess Smith at [email protected] or at 212-898-7850.

 

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Achieving Savings Goals

If you’re an Afghan Evacuee interested in saving money for:

  • A rental Assistance program
  • Starting or growing a small business
  • Continuing your education, vocational training or professional certification

An IDA (Individual Development Account) program may be right for you. The IDA program is a specialized savings program for Afghan Evacuees with approved asylum-status who complete a financial literacy course and save money in a targeted account. After the financial literacy course is completed, families who qualify for Rental Assistance will receive up to $1,000 per month with a maximum of $12,000 per year per household. Families and individuals saving for microenterprise or small business, vocational training, the program matches each dollar you have saved with a dollar in grant money, up to $2,000 per individual or $4,000 per family.

You still have control over the money you have saved, while the “matching grant” is kept in a separate account that can only be used for down payments, investment in your small business, or your education.

Family Size & Income Limit:

1 member: $25,142
2 members: $33,874
3 members: $42,606
4 members: $51,338
5 members: $60,070
6 members: $68,802
7 members: $77,534
8 members: $86,266

Financial Literacy Seminars

Accompany Capital’s seminars help ensure that you are prepared for the financial responsibilities of entrepreneurship, home ownership, continuing education or vocational training. All classes are free and held at our offices. Topics include:

  • Budgeting
  • Goal setting
  • Managing credit
  • Investment and saving
  • The home-buying process
  • Starting a business

FAQs

Are the matching funds deposited into my account?

No. The matched money is kept in a separate, Accompany Capital-controlled account. When you are ready to use your IDA savings to buy your first home, or begin a business, the matching funds plus your savings are paid directly by Accompany Capital to the bank you are working with. You have no access to the matching funds at any time.

Will I be taxed on the matching funds?

No. You will not be taxed on the matched income.  However, you will be taxed on any interest earned in your individual savings account.

What if I am not able to use my IDA money as I had originally planned?

You may keep the money in your IDA account for up to 12 months after completing the program until you are ready to use it for the specified purpose. After 12 months, your savings will be automatically returned to you, and your matching funds will be withdrawn by Accompany Capital.

What if I change my mind? For example, what if I get a full-time job and decide not to start my own business?

You will get back the money you saved but lose any matching funds.

This sounds too good to be true. How is it possible?

Most people have never heard of the Independent Savings Account (IDA) program and are surprised to learn that they can be rewarded for saving money.

IDA was designed by the Federal government to encourage low-income individuals and families to get into the habit of saving money. The hope is that by learning about money management, then using their own talents and energies to make and save money, people will become self-sufficient faster.

The U.S. government believes this goal of self-sufficiency is so important that it is willing to reward those who attend money management classes, make a savings goal, stick to their savings plan, and achieve their savings goal.  The government believes that those who successfully complete the IDA program will have the skills needed to be more financially successful, then pay enough additional taxes, so that the program will pay for itself.

For more information on IDAs, visit Prosperity Now’s website, formerly The Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED).

Can anyone get an IDA?

IDAs are designed for low-income families and individuals, as defined by the Federal government (requirements listed above). To qualify for an IDA through Accompany Capital, you must be an Afghan asylee, parolee or SIV who entered the US after July 31st, 2021.

I need a new car. Can I use an IDA to buy one?

No. You can only use IDA to purchase a first home, further your education, or fund a business. If you own a car or taxi service, you may use the IDA to purchase a vehicle for that business.

For more information, contact:

Francess Smith, Asset Development Program Specialist
[email protected]
212-898-7850

Click here for a fact sheet on Accompany Capital’s IDA Program

For information about IDA resources for refugees residing outside of New York City please click here.

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AC Voices

Accompany Capital is proud to bolster women entrepreneurs with inspiring stories to tell. Some are refugees, others are immigrants; all share their compelling journey towards the American Dream. Having overcome many challenges to establish profitable and growing businesses, hearing about their firsthand knowledge and experiences enrich and empower communities and organizations. The Accompany Capital Voices program features compelling women small business owners who are available for speaking engagements and interviews in many different languages and locations.

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Please contact Nicole Mas at [email protected] or 212-898-4112 for more information.

Natalia Konovalova

The owner of Le’Bulga Inc., a luxury handbag company, Natalia tells an impressive story of building a successful business from the ground up in the highly competitive fashion industry. After immigrating to the United States in 1995 from Uzbekistan, she graduated from FIT with a degree in Fashion Design. Upon graduation, she worked for various high-end fashion brands, which led to her passion for handbag design.

Le’Bulga handbags have been worn by celebrities and fashion insiders, and have been featured in fashion magazines alongside luxury brands including Burberry and Chanel.

Nancy Reynoso

The daughter of Argentinean and Colombian immigrants, Nancy is an impassioned advocate for New York City green taxi drivers and women entrepreneurs. As the first New York City taxi driver to receive a green taxi permit, she is highly regarded as a groundbreaker and leader in her industry. She has driven over 15,000 miles taking New Yorkers, including former Mayor Bloomberg, to their destinations.

Her goal is to continue to represent her industry through community organizing and speaking engagements with City agencies including the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Fluent in English and Spanish, Nancy is also pursuing a second career in translation services.

Annabelle Santos

The daughter of Filipino immigrants and the owner of SPAdét, Annabelle tells an inspiring story about leveraging entrepreneurship to solve real-world problems. Using her background in biochemistry, she began experimenting with natural personal care products in 2008 to heal her daughter’s eczema. Once she perfected a formula that worked for her daughter, she founded SPAdét, which is best known for its O’Live Castile Soap – a pure, safe, and environmentally friendly liquid cleanser for sensitive skin.

SPAdét has secured large contracts with educational institutions, medical facilities, child learning centers, and specialty pharmacies.

Alimata Zabsonre

The owner of Alima Hair Braiding in Brooklyn, Alimata tells her moving story about making the best of challenging circumstances – and uplifting other women along the way. A refugee from Burkina Faso who arrived in New York with her husband and children in 2012, she opened two hair braiding salons after putting herself through school.

Alimata’s salons employ eight women from her community. She is also the founder and president of the Association of African Women, a nonprofit networking group for African women entrepreneurs.

Archana Pokhrel

Archana came to the US from Nepal in 2003 and studied chemistry and sociology at Hunter College, graduating in 2010. She worked in sales, marketing, and training at Time Warner and Verizon before becoming the business manager at a Manhattan day spa. She was able to save enough money to open her own business on the Upper East Side in 2018: Lenox Spa and Nails, a spacious day spa specializing in manicures, pedicures, and facial treatments. A loan from Accompany Capital helped finance completion of construction and the purchase of spa equipment. Lenox Spa and Nails has created 11 full-time jobs.

As a member of the Accompany Capital Voices Speakers Bureau – women entrepreneurs who are ambassadors for Accompany Capital and experts in their business sectors – she is available to speak to groups about entrepreneurship.

Marieme Keita

Marieme Keita, who came to New York from the Ivory Coast in 1992, speaks eloquently about work life balance, including making time for the joy her four children bring while still managing employees and a thriving business.

She began work as a hair braider in 1992, later opening her own own storefront braiding salon. Learning by doing, she gained the experience and confidence she needed to open her next business in 2015 – Keita West African Market – and has saved enough to purchase a home for her family as well. Located on a street with extremely high foot traffic in Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn, the Keita West African Market now carries over $200,000 in merchandise and has recently expanded to include Lycamobile and money transfer services as well.

Her goal is to continue to expand and provide the most value she can for her customers, employees, and community while enjoying life and her beloved family as well.

Millie Carbajal

Millie Carbajal started M&M 24HR Daycare when she was 30 years old, a single mom, and a hotel worker. Dissatisfied with the day care choices she found for her young children – particularly for her night shift work – she started researching how to open her own. When she discovered her home didn’t meet state requirements, she found one that did and moved.

The first three years after she opened were hard. She had to cash out her 401k and apply for food stamps to make ends meet while paying for training classes for a Child Development Associate (CDA) degree. She was soon able, however, to open a second location, M&M Preparatory, and then M&M 24HR Daycare, both ow which are affiliated with the New York City’s 3K and Pre-K programs.

Today she serves over 40 families and, in 2019, she and M&M’s 24-hour services were featured in Time Magazine. She now sits on the Board of the UFT as a first Chair, representing child care providers from the Bronx.

Special thanks to the New York Women’s Foundation for supporting this project. Contact us at [email protected] for booking information.

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Immigrant Heritage Week Awards

This year – 2022 – was the 10th year for our annual Accompany Capital Immigrant Heritage Week Awards. Established in 2004, NYC’s Immigrant Heritage Week pays homage to the legacy of April 17, 1907, the day when 11,000 immigrants–the largest number in history–entered the U.S. through Ellis Island.

Click to enjoy highlights from this and previous years!

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Resources

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Business Licensing and Permits

NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) helps businesses start, operate and expand in New York City by providing a wide range of services. They can help you navigate government bureaucracy to cut through “red tape,” resolve an issue or get permits and licenses. Services are provided at no cost, regardless of the size or stage of your business. Visit: nyc.gov/sbs

Business Planning

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) website offers extensive information to help small businesses succeed, including a business planner, workshops, programs, and counseling www.sba.gov

Credit Score and Credit Repair

  • Accompany Capital’s Classes on How to Establish Good Credit: Please check our workshop schedule for workshops or contact Francess Smith at 212-898-7850,[email protected]
  • Free Credit Report: You can get a free report from each credit bureau every 12 months from www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228
  • How Credit Scores are Calculated: Learn how credit scores are calculated and how to maintain or improve your score. www.myfico.com
  • GreenPath Debt Solutions: For one-on-one assistance call 1-800-550-1961 or go to www.greenpath.com to schedule an appointment with a counselor
  • Debt.org: For a wealth of information on steps to get back to financial responsibility and freedom, go to http://www.debt.org
  • Credit health: Understand more about how your credit score is calculated, and how your decisions affect your score. Available via web and mobile app, see https://creditwise.capitalone.com/home

Home Ownership

  • Accompany Capital’s Home Buying Program: To learn more about our program to assist low to moderate income households to become homeowners, contact Francess Smith at 212-898-7850 or [email protected]
  • New York Mortgage Coalition: Nonprofit collaboration of mainstream financial institutions and community housing agencies dedicated to helping low to moderate income families in New York become first-time homeowners. Through financial workshops and one-to-one counseling they provide critical pre-purchase education. To find get information on resources for home buyers, go to www.nymc.org or call 212-742-0762

Asset Development Programs

The Corporation for Economic Development (CFED) is a multi-faceted organization working at the local, state and federal levels to create economic opportunity that alleviates poverty. CFED was an early leader in the creation and growth of asset development programs like microenterprise and IDA programs which expand financial opportunities for low-income households. For further information on topics which range from innovation and advocacy in this field to a directory of all IDA Programs in the country, go to www.cfed.org.

Immigrant & Refugee Resources

  • The International Rescue Committee in NYC: Provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture and other immigrants to thrive in America. Call 212-377-4728
  • Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees: Provides comprehensive and culturally sensitive programs that include community education, supportive services, and community organizing. Call 718-462-0791

Queens Small Business Resource Guides

We are proud to have partnered with Chhaya Community Development Corporation to produce this excellent Small Business Resource Guide for businesses in Queens. Available in English, Spanish, Nepali, and Bangla.

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