If you're an entrepreneur with the next big technological idea, the world's biggest search engine may be willing to work with you.

This week, Google announced the launch of Google Ventures, a venture capital fund that will work to develop companies in emerging technologies such as clean energy, healthcare the internet and more.

"Economically, times are tough, but great ideas come when they will. If anything, we think the current downturn is an ideal time to invest in nascent companies that have the chance to be the 'next big thing,' and we'll be working hard to find them," read the announcement from Google Ventures, which goes on to invite prospective entrepreneurs to visit the website.

For those with other kinds of business ideas, an interesting option for financing, depending on the amount you need to borrow, could be a microloan.

An article this week on the Wall Street Journal website notes that microloans, which were once more associated with developing nations, are continuing to catch on in the U.S. The loans reportedly run from $500 to $35,000 and tend to be offered by nonprofit organizations.