New jobs in Kent are forecast by an ambitious email-to-mobile phone technology business after snapping up a similar firm for £2.6million.

The acquisition of AxisMobile is part of a £10million investment programme that aims to make Synchronica, based in Tunbidge Wells, a global leader in mass market mobile email.

The new funding aims to boost business in emerging markets such as China, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Experts predict that the next billion mobile phone subscribers will come from these markets where PC and fixed-line penetration is low.

Synchronica says it has bought AxisMobile, founded in 2000 and with offices in Tel-Aviv, Israel, and London, for its complementary technology, customer base and routes to market.

The acquisition and extra funds will enable Synchronica to provide messaging to more than three billion mobile phones.

A company spokesperson said: "Synchronica anticipates increasing headcount at the Tunbridge Wells office because, following the acquisition of AxisMobile, we will need to cover the global regions with a new strong focus on Eastern Europe.

"The newly merged and larger company requires more project managers, software engineers and so on. Therefore the Tunbridge Wells team will expand as this is the global headquarters.

"We have taken on new people already and will continue to do so. However, we cannot announce a definitive number of new positions."

Synchronica CEO Carsten Brinkschulte said: "The fundraising and the acquisition of AxisMobile is a dramatic acceleration for Synchronica and I believe that it will build value for our shareholders.

"We aim to build a world leader in the market of consumer mobile email and synchronization solutions, and this acquisition is a key milestone that will improve our competitive positioning and accelerate our commercial growth. The next few years will be an exciting time for us all here at Synchronica and for our customers around the globe."

Synchronica has its HQ in Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, with other offices in German, Hong Kong, Dubai and the United States. It is listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.