An online email and SMS delivery specialist has received £100,000 from a private investor, enabling it to bolster its technical and account teams.

Brighton-based Pure has also won the contract to supply its PureResponse email and SMS delivery platform to Rackspace, one of Europe's leading providers of hosting services.

Investor Stuart Hobbs, who recently sold his human resources software company, Dillistone Systems, has joined the board of Pure as a non-executive director.

He said: "My decision to invest in Pure is based on the strength of its core products. Electronic marketing is certainly in its infancy and I believe it will grow significantly in the next few years.

"I used basic forms of electronic marketing in my previous company but could immediately see far greater potential from the products Pure offered.

"Pure has already established a solid client base and I look forward to developing the business into a significant force in the coming year."

Pure's technical team has been strengthened. Roger North-Row has joined from Victoria Real as network and systems administrator.

Mr North-Row has more than 11 year's experience and will be responsible for providing specialist IT support.

Kirsten Dunbar has joined as senior account manager from the agency Total Media.

She has managed clients such as Penguin Books, Faber and Faber and Dorling Kindersley and will be responsible for managing Pure's existing client base and developing relationships with new clients.

Managing director Darren Fell said: "Pure is an exciting place to be right now. We've recently launched PureResponse and have developed a solid team of professionals in all departments.

"This has enabled us deliver a first-class service to global brands and major players such as Rackspace."

Rackspace will be using PureResponse to spearhead its email-based draft acquisition strategy.

Thursday September 18, 2003