Starting or growing a small business can be expensive. Whether you’re trying to launch a new idea, buy equipment, build a website, or attract more customers, finding the money and resources you need isn’t always easy. That’s where Skip comes in.
Skip is an online platform that helps entrepreneurs find small business grants, apply for funding, and access tools to start and grow their businesses. It offers its own grant opportunities, connects users with grants from other organizations, and provides AI-powered tools for everything from writing business plans to creating websites.
Even better, you can get started with a free account.
Sign up for Skip here to explore grants and business tools.
What Is Skip?
Skip is a business funding and growth platform designed to help entrepreneurs find opportunities and build successful businesses.
Although it’s especially well-known for its small business grants, Skip offers much more than funding opportunities. The platform combines grant listings, application assistance, business planning tools, marketing resources, and AI-powered support in one place.
This means you can use Skip to search for funding while also working on the other things your business needs, like creating a website, improving your marketing, or developing a business plan.
You don’t necessarily need an established business to get started. Many of Skip’s tools can also help people who are still in the planning stages.
1. Apply for Skip’s $1,000 Instant Grants
One of Skip’s most popular features is its $1,000 Instant Grants.
These grants give entrepreneurs opportunities to win funding through live drawings, rather than waiting weeks or months for a traditional grant decision.
Skip regularly hosts Instant Grant drawings, often twice per week. Eligible participants can enter for a chance to win up to $1,000.
There’s an important catch, though: You’ll generally need to attend the live drawing and follow the instructions to claim your prize if you’re selected.
For example, Skip may require selected participants to enter a PIN during the live event to confirm their eligibility and claim the grant.
These grants can be particularly appealing if you need a relatively small amount of money to cover expenses such as supplies, equipment, inventory, or marketing.
However, winning is never guaranteed, and you should always review the rules for each drawing.
2. Apply for Larger Skip Grants Worth $5,000 to $10,000
Skip also offers larger grant opportunities for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
These grants have included awards of $5,000 and $10,000, which could make a significant difference for a small business trying to expand.
Unlike the Instant Grants, these larger awards are generally merit-based. Applications may be evaluated based on the strength of your business idea, the clarity of your answers, and the potential impact of the funding.
Some of these grants are available to free users, while others are reserved for paid Skip members.
The eligibility requirements, award amounts, and deadlines can change from one funding round to another.
If you’re interested in applying, it’s worth checking the platform regularly to see which opportunities are currently accepting applications.
Explore available Skip grants here.
3. Find Small Business Grants From Other Organizations
You don’t have to limit your search to grants offered directly by Skip.
The platform also maintains a database of funding opportunities from outside organizations, including corporations, nonprofits, and other grant providers.
Instead of spending hours searching the internet for grants, you can browse opportunities in one place and look for programs that may fit your business.
Grant listings can help you identify important details such as funding amounts, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines.
When you find a third-party grant that interests you, Skip can help you prepare your application. You’ll generally need to submit the completed application through the organization offering the grant.
This is especially useful because different grant programs have different requirements. Some focus on women-owned businesses, while others support startups, established companies, or businesses in specific industries or locations.
Having access to a searchable grant database can make it easier to find opportunities you might otherwise miss.
4. Get Help Writing Grant Applications
Finding a grant is only the first step. You also need to submit a strong application.
Many grant programs ask applicants to explain what their business does, why they need funding, and how they plan to use the money.
If you’ve never applied for a business grant before, these questions can feel overwhelming.
Skip offers AI-powered writing assistance to help you develop and improve your answers.
Its tools can help you organize your thoughts, explain your business goals more clearly, and create responses that address the application questions.
Skip also offers a Grants Vault where you can save useful information and previous answers for future applications.
This can save time if you plan to apply for several grants, since you won’t have to start every application from scratch.
Just remember that AI-generated responses should always be reviewed and personalized. Your application needs to accurately reflect your business, experience, and plans.
5. Create a Business Plan With AI
A business plan can be helpful whether you’re launching a new business or trying to grow an existing one.
It can also be useful when applying for grants, seeking financing, or explaining your business to potential partners.
Skip offers an AI-powered business plan builder that can help you turn your ideas into a more organized plan.
Depending on the information you provide, the tool can help you develop sections covering your business concept, products or services, target customers, and growth strategy.
This can be particularly valuable if you have a business idea but aren’t sure how to put everything into a professional document.
Instead of starting with a blank page, you can use the generated plan as a foundation and refine it to reflect your actual goals and financial situation.
6. Build a Website for Your Business
Having a website can help customers find your business, learn about your services, and contact you.
Unfortunately, hiring a professional web designer isn’t always affordable for someone who is just getting started.
Skip offers an AI-powered website builder that can help entrepreneurs create a business website without extensive technical experience.
Depending on your plan, website features can include templates, hosting, custom domain options, and analytics.
You can use these tools to create an online presence for your business without having to build everything yourself.
For a small business that doesn’t already have a website, this could be a useful way to get started.
7. Create Marketing Content With AI
Running a business involves more than selling products or providing services. You also need to reach potential customers.
Skip includes AI tools that can help business owners create marketing materials.
These tools can assist with tasks such as writing social media posts, developing promotional content, creating images, and preparing other business communications.
Some plans also include content scheduling and additional marketing features.
For entrepreneurs who don’t have the budget to hire a marketing team, these tools may make it easier to maintain an online presence and promote their businesses consistently.
Of course, you’ll still want to review everything before publishing it to make sure the content accurately represents your business.
8. List Your Business in Skip’s Directory
Skip also offers public business profiles and listings.
This gives entrepreneurs another place to showcase their businesses and make information available to potential customers.
Depending on the features available with your account, you may be able to add details about your products or services, share your website, and provide ways for customers to contact you.
Paid plans can offer additional listing and promotional features.
A business listing isn’t a guarantee that you’ll attract new customers, but it can be another way to establish an online presence and increase your visibility.
9. Sell Products and Services Online
Skip isn’t just focused on helping entrepreneurs find money. It also provides tools that can help businesses generate revenue.
Some paid plans include product listings and payment links, allowing business owners to showcase what they sell and give customers a way to make purchases.
This can be useful for freelancers, consultants, service providers, and small businesses that want a simpler way to offer their products or services online.
If you’re still setting up your business, having your website, listings, and payment tools connected in one platform may also reduce the number of separate services you need to manage.
10. Get Help From an AI Business Assistant
One of Skip’s more distinctive features is its AI business assistant, called Cofounder.
Cofounder is designed to help entrepreneurs work through business-related tasks and decisions.
For example, you can use it to get guidance on grant applications, brainstorm marketing ideas, develop business plans, and work on your online presence.
Skip also offers additional AI automation features on certain plans, including tools designed to help with grant applications and other recurring business tasks.
These features may be useful if you’re running a business by yourself and don’t have employees available to handle every responsibility.
However, AI tools are not substitutes for professional legal, tax, or financial advice when those services are needed.
11. Access Business Coaching and Expert Support
Sometimes you need more personalized help than an online tool can provide.
Skip offers access to business experts and coaching services that can help entrepreneurs work through specific challenges.
Depending on the service, this may include one-on-one assistance with grant applications, business planning, funding strategies, or other business needs.
Skip has also offered an accelerator program designed to help entrepreneurs develop and grow their businesses over several weeks.
These services may be particularly useful for business owners who want feedback on their ideas or need help deciding what steps to take next.
Availability and pricing can vary, so check the platform for current options.
12. Attend Live Events and Learn From Other Entrepreneurs
Skip also hosts live events focused on grants, business funding, and entrepreneurship.
These sessions can include grant drawings, educational discussions, and guidance from business experts.
For someone who is new to entrepreneurship, attending these events may be a helpful way to learn more about available resources and common business challenges.
They can also help you stay informed about funding opportunities and new features available through the platform.
How Much Does Skip Cost?
You can create a Skip account for free, but not every feature is included in the free plan. The free Starter plan includes access to public grant listings, certain Skip grant opportunities, basic business profile features, and other introductory tools.
Skip offers different membership levels based on the tools and services you need. Paid plans provide additional features such as expanded grant assistance, AI content creation, website tools, business marketing features, and automation.
Skip currently advertises Plus and Pro membership options, with monthly and annual billing choices, but you don’t necessarily need a paid membership just to begin searching for grants.
If you’re mainly interested in finding funding opportunities, it makes sense to explore the free version before deciding whether a subscription would be useful.
Create a free Skip account here.
Is Skip Legit?
Skip is a real business platform that offers grants, funding resources, and tools for entrepreneurs.
The company has awarded grants to small business owners and maintains listings for additional funding opportunities offered by outside organizations.
However, it’s important to understand that signing up for Skip does not guarantee that you’ll receive a grant.
You still need to meet the eligibility requirements for each opportunity, complete the application process, and be selected.
Some grants are based on random drawings, while others use an application review process.
It’s also worth remembering that Skip lists third-party grants but doesn’t control their eligibility requirements, application decisions, or award payments.
Who Should Consider Using Skip?
Skip may be worth exploring if you’re:
- Starting a business: You need help developing your idea, creating a business plan, or finding startup funding.
- Running a small business: You’re looking for grants to purchase equipment, cover expenses, or support growth.
- Self-employed or freelancing: You want help building a website, marketing your services, or managing business tasks.
- Looking for grants: You want one place to discover funding opportunities and prepare applications.
- Working with a limited budget: You want to try free business resources before investing in more expensive services.
Not every grant will be available to every entrepreneur, but the platform’s combination of funding opportunities and business tools makes it worth considering.
How to Get Started With Skip
Getting started is relatively simple.
- Create an account. Visit Skip and sign up to access the platform.
- Set up your business profile. Provide information about your business or the idea you’re working on.
- Explore available grants. Review funding opportunities and check which ones you may qualify for.
- Apply for grants. Follow the instructions and deadlines for each program.
- Try the business tools. Explore the business plan builder, AI assistant, website features, and other available resources.
- Consider upgrading only if needed. Review the paid plans if you want access to additional features.
You can start by exploring the free resources and decide later whether any paid services are worth the cost for your business.
Your Next Step
Visit Skip to explore small business grants and create your free account. Remember to review the rules for each grant carefully, avoid spending money you can’t afford on optional services, and never assume that applying guarantees an award.