Google has announced the launch of Google Gadget Ventures, a new pilot program that will help fund third-party gadget development and gadget-related businesses.
Google will offer two types of funding: $5,000 grants for gadget developers who want to improve an existing gadget, and $100,000 seed investments for new gadget-related businesses. Applications will be restricted initially to gadget developers who have more than 250,000 pageviews per week on their gadget.
Google aims to “help create an ecosystem where developers can spend more time doing what they love — building great gadgets”. In other words Google wants more gadgets for iGoogle and Google Gadgets and what better way to encourage development than to offer money to gadget builders. It probably goes without saying that this is a smart move by Google; Google’s gadget specific offerings are all smart products but still lag in gadget choice compared to competitors such as Yahoo Widgets, a number of Web OS and Widget specific startups and even OSX.
A full FAQ for the program is available here.
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wait - “$100,000 seed investments for new gadget-related businesses. Applications will be restricted initially to gadget developers who have more than 250,000 pageviews per week on their gadget.”
So, it sounds like you have to first develop the gadget and build traffic for either the 5k or the 100k incentive???
Do they take equity? what?
@manfromnantucket
The article only shows the 250k pageview requirement for the $5k “improvement” grant. The $100k “development” grant requires a detailed business plan, etc. but has no pageview requirement (which makes sense).
Seems like a smart move by Google… I’ve developed a few gadgets and it sure got my attention!
they just want to save money, probably realized they can’t pay 100 mil for simple gadgets anymore
Very much agree with Andrew, Google definitely is looking for some money saving and yet again looking into what every one is upto.
Definitely a smart move.
1 million page views per month…wouldn’t something of that caliber be able to monetize and not give up equity for a measly $5000
I would be worried with Google taking your ideas from the business plans and showing you the door. Pitching to a VC, you really don’t have to worry with them stealing your ideas….Google on the other hand? Hell no
But I’m sure many new developers will fall for their trick, probably the same people who still believe google’s “do no evil” philosophy
I wonder if this is a means of diverting talent back to gadgets from the Facebook platform.
Andrew: lol…I cant agree less. Googl-spying and money-making in new attaire, yet again!!
Lolz. “Do no Evil” is no longer valid, and you bet many developers are going to fall for the trick. 1 million page viewer ship would get me a hell more than $5k if I just opt for some CPA Network and I still own the thing.
Where is the catch?
so guys, lets get our hands on coding!
You need to sign up NDA before you apply?
There’s are lot of corporate theives refuse to pay but waste time.
Well Google would not be one of those, it would definitely would like to control.
250,000 pageviews per week!!! that’s crazy….
I am glad to hear that!
have an opinion with #3.
great, use your money to crush smaller competitors out of the market.
Good plan, though! Buy developers, have to most comprehensive content, rule the widget, aehm sorry gadget, market. What will competitors do that cannot afford these kind of spendings?
Looks like a good thing / I will def book mark to look into later -
-Rbowles
“Do no Evil”?
what could possible be the non-evil thing about this whole idea? I do the grunt work, google pays me 5k, takes my idea. hell no!
Dumbest comment stream EVER on TC!
Wow, impressive. Now I want to get into the gadget production business (but won’t).
It’s a win/win for everyone - http://tinyurl.com/34rhym
Well, that’s just darn clever of the Google folks. They must just surely have some of the best marketers in the business.
hai
If i have 250,000 page views for my gadget.. why would i want to sell it off to google ?? The seed money is mostly required in the initial stages.. Anywyas I developed a gadget recently.. checkout my site and leave comments if you find it useful.