The legally-binding Web-based documents startup isn't yet saying who the investors will be specifically, telling GlobeSt.com only that "major" mortgage companies would be involved, and that an announcement would be made shortly. Irwin Financial Corp. of Columbia, Ind., however, revealed itself as one of the investors in a recent quarterly earnings announcement.

Irwin Financial is an interrelated group of specialized financial services companies that includes Irwin Mortgage Corporation, Irwin Home Equity Corporation, Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company, Irwin Business Finance, and Irwin Ventures Inc., the subsidiary that invested in Docutouch.

DocuTouch has a patent-pending process for identifying and authenticating anonymous users over the Internet so they can interact with confidence. Docutouch says its process fits perfectly with the e-signature act signed by President Clinton. The act gives documents signed electronically the same legal validity as documents signed with wet ink.