Google Developer Blog announced the the launch of Google Gadget Ventures, “a new pilot program for distributing grants and seed investments to gadget developers and gadget-related businesses.”

Tom Stocky of Google Developer Programs explained the kinds of funding that they will offer:

The program will provide two kinds of funding. First, we’ll invite promising gadget developers (individuals or businesses) to apply for $5,000 grants to fund further development. These are not loans or equity investments; they’re simply grants for gadgets that already have a thriving user base and we think have potential for even more improvement. To be considered for a grant, your gadget needs to have more than 250,000 pageviews per week, and you need to provide a one-page proposal on how you’d like to improve your gadget. This is a no-strings-attached grant; we won’t ask for repayment of any kind. We simply ask that you work on your project in good faith.