Here's what we’ve learned reviewing hundreds of thousands of grant applications over the past six years for Skip's $10,000 Grants including the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when applying.
Applying for a grant can feel like a long shot
Every month, thousands of entrepreneurs apply for funding opportunities. Naturally, most applicants assume that winning a grant comes down to luck.
But after reviewing hundreds of thousands of applications across more than six years of grants, we've learned something surprising: Many applicants never complete the basic steps required to stand out.
In fact, based on the data from our recent grant rounds, getting into the top 10% of applicants is often simpler than people think. Below are the biggest insights we’ve learned from reviewing applications.
1. Most entrepreneurs never finish their application
In our most recent round of $10,000 grants:
- Only 5% of active businesses on Skip started an application
- Of those who started, only 30% submitted a complete application
That means the majority of applicants drop off before finishing. Simply starting and completing your application already puts you ahead of most applicants.
This might sound obvious, but many entrepreneurs underestimate how important follow-through is. If you're serious about your business, the first step is simple: apply and complete the process.
📌 Further reading: What we look for in written responses for Skip's $10k grants
2. Use the application as a tool to improve your business
Most applicants won’t win a grant. That’s just math. But the grant application process is designed to do something else: help entrepreneurs think more clearly about their business.
We frequently hear from applicants who say the questions helped them:
- refine their business idea
- clarify their target customers
- improve their business page or website
- develop a stronger business plan
In other words, the application itself can be valuable — even before any grant is awarded.
3. Many applicants are missing basic business fundamentals
One of the most common issues we see when reviewing applications is that entrepreneurs haven’t completed basic pieces of their business setup.
In the most recent grant round, among completed applications 60% of applicants were missing at least one key element, such as:
• a functioning website
• a clear business plan
• payouts enabled
• a completed business profile
All of these things you can complete on your own or on Skip with the above links. These are all important foundations for running a business.
Entrepreneurs who take the time to complete these fundamentals stand out — and in the case of Skip's $10,000 Grants completing these helps you get in front of 60% of applicants.
By the way, want an easier grants starting point? Enter our $1,000 Instant Grants where the grant amount scales as you make business progress.
4. Strong applications show real progress
The strongest applications aren’t always the biggest ideas. Instead, the applications that stand out typically show clear progress, such as:
- a defined customer problem
- a product or service already being tested
- a basic online presence
- evidence that the founder is actively building
Grant reviewers (on Skip and across other organizations) want to see that the entrepreneur is already taking action, even if the business is early. They also want to see a story of growth and progress. That should come across in how you articulate your grant responses.
5. The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make: not applying
Over the past six years, more than 1,500 entrepreneurs (winners map) and business owners have received grants through Skip. Every single one of them had to start in the same place: submitting an application.
The truth is simple. If you don’t apply, you can’t win. But if you do apply — and take the process seriously — you give your business a real opportunity.
Final thoughts
We award 50+ grants every month to motivate entrepreneurs to keep pushing forward. Even if you don’t win, completing an application can help you clarify your business, improve your strategy, and get feedback on your ideas.
And sometimes, that progress is just as valuable as the funding itself. If you're planning to apply for the next round of $10,000 grants, you can start your application here.
📌 Further reading: What we look for in written responses for Skip's $10k grants