Cambridge-based Inca Digital Printers has secured 2m of second-round funding from Advent Venture Partners to help it carry out its ambitious expansion programme.

The firm is developing a new range of printers to complement its Eagle 44 flatbed press,s which managing director Bill Baxter said was "shipping as fast as we can make them".

"Were finding that its not hard to sell digital presses that work," he added. There are three products in development aimed at different areas of the market. Its important to accelerate our product range."

He said the first of the new printers could be out in six months.

Advent Ventures was the sole investor in Incas 2.6m first round of funding after the company was formed from parent company Cambridge Consultants in May 2000. In that time the firms worth has almost trebled from 6m to 27m.

"When we moved into our new premises last November we had 18 employees, now weve got 70 and by the end of the year well have over 100," said Baxter.

The firm predicts that the product launches will propel it from sales of 9m to 60m by April 2005.

Inca Digitals products can be supplied through Sericol, but the firm also has plans to expand its support network into China and Eastern Europe.

"Weve got five orders for the US, which will be delivered in January, February and March. We initially started selling to the UK and northern Europe because we had the customer support in place. That will be expanded to other areas," said Baxter.

Story by John Davies