Bangalore: Sanjeev Agrawal, Former Global Head of Google Product Marketing and subsequently VP Products at TellMe Networks (acquired by Microsoft), is appointed as the CEO of the mobile search start-up Aloqa. With the appointment of the new CEO, Aloqa has also raised $1.5 million in series A funding from a venture capital (VC) firm Wellington Partners and from multiple investors. The firm has announced the beta launch of its application for Android handsets. The company's solution removes the need for consumers to type search terms into browsers or related mobile applications. The service offers real-time recommendations on local businesses, nearby friends, upcoming events and other points of interest. Currently, Aloqa beta is available to series A users in the U.S. and Germany. The company plans to expand the application across other major mobile platforms by the end of 2009.