14 DAY TRIAL // Google may be known for several of its big products, but the company's interests stretch wide. From the Google.org non-profit to Google Ventures, there is little that Google won't experiment with.
Google Ventures, the company independent venture capital arm, is one of the most interesting Google off-shoots.
It operates like a venture capital fund, but leverages some of Google's resources to the advantages of the companies it chooses to invest in.
Google plans to double the amount of money it's investing every year through Ventures, to $200 million.
Considering that most investments are with very young startups, the money will be able to sustain a lot of small companies.
The Wall Street Journal has some details on how the Google-backed fund is doing and how it differentiates itself from other institutional investors.
One interesting thing that only Google could do is search through the job applicants looking for work at the company and offer them a position with one of its portfolio companies instead, where it makes sense.
With over 60 companies in which it has already invested, Google Ventures can probably find cool things to do and an interesting alternative for those interested in working at Google.
The talent pool is a great asset that few other venture capital firms can compete with. Google Ventures is also turning out to be a great place for serial entrepreneurs and Googlers looking for a change of scenery.
Google Ventures created the position of Googlers in Residence which enables distinguished people from inside the company to get involved with the startups and lend their expertise.
When it comes to investments, Google Ventures doesn't really have any restrictions. The only goal is that it has to make money, but it is involved with companies as different as online ad startups, mobile game companies and clean fuel companies.