Aloqa raises $1.5 million, names ex-Google exec CEO

Context-aware mobile search solutions provider Aloqa announced the close of a $1.5 million Series A funding round led by venture firm Wellington Partners, with contributions from several prominent angels--in addition, the firm announced the beta launch of its application for Android handsets, and named Google's onetime global head of product marketing Sanjeev Agrawal as CEO. According to Aloqa, its solution removes the need for consumers to type search terms into browsers or related mobile apps--instead, the service takes into account their current location, preferences and social relationships to offer real-time recommendations on local businesses, nearby friends, upcoming events and other points of interest. The Aloqa beta is currently available to Android users in the U.S. and Germany--the company notes it plans to expand the app across most major mobile platforms by the end of 2009, promising to reach handsets both with and without GPS support.

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