The search giant revealed at a press briefing that Corduro is the tenth firm it has put money into through Google Ventures since launching the fund a year ago.

According to its Web site, Corduro was founded in 2008 and offers payment services for "Internet, mobile and traditional retail transactions", providing a gateway for merchants to accept card payments over the Web.

However, the site provides little detail on the company's services and reports only one contract, with Dallas club soccer.

At the press briefing Google told reporters that it plans to invest $100 million in 2010, funding technology-focused start-ups.