[w_allDueRespect]

How does that make any sense? Now instead of competing with 3000 applicants, you're competing with 15000 for the $10,000. Your chances of winning the prize just decreased 5 fold.

[mc_lovin_]

From the email

you’ll be able to use the company update feature so that you’ll also be eligible for one of the hundred $10k equity-free grant

So I think the competition is still among the actually selected 3000 applicants and there will be one slot for the rest of them.