Experiences designed around the human voice will fundamentally improve the way people use technology. Since introducing Amazon Echo, we’ve heard from developers, manufacturers, and start-ups of all sizes who want to innovate with voice. The Alexa Fund--named for Alexa, the cloud-based voice service that powers Amazon Echo--provides up to $100 million in investments to fuel voice technology innovation.

Amazon today announced two new recipients of the Alexa Fund, Musaic and Rachio. Musaic and Rachio are the latest additions to the growing portfolio of Alexa Fund recipients, and join the seven previously funded companies announced in June, including: Orange Chef, Scout Alarm, Garageio, Toymail, Dragon Innovation, MARA, and Mojio. 

Musaic Integrating the Alexa Voice Service

Musaic is a high-resolution wireless HiFi system that allows customers to listen to music in every room with exceptional sound quality, integrate smart lighting to create and control scenes and moods, and combine with home automation to create a connected smart home. Musaic is building skills for Alexa enabling Echo customers to control their Musaic system using only their voice. Musaic is also working to be one of the first companies to integrate with the Alexa Voice Service. Learn more about Musaic at www.musaic.com.

“Musaic is extremely excited to be involved with the Alexa Fund,” said Matthew Bramble, CEO, Musaic. “We make what we call ‘Smart HiFi’ because we believe there is a change coming where audio, video, lighting, comfort-control, and security will no longer be delivered in product silos. We feel that audio has an extremely strong place in this emerging ‘Internet of Things’, as it is perhaps the most effective and compelling method of communication with the home owner. Natural language understanding is going to be part of the next great leap in home automation, and we’re looking forward to creating some really exciting smart home functionality with the Alexa Voice Service.”

Rachio Teaching Alexa Skills to Make Outdoor Watering More Efficient

Rachio is a Denver-based software and hardware company focused on improving the water efficiency of homes. Rachio makes an intelligent sprinkler controller that helps customers water smartly for better results and lower costs by monitoring weather conditions automatically, adapting to the specifics of a user’s yard, and providing control and dashboard options through a smartphone app. Rachio will use the Alexa Skills Kit to build new skills for Alexa, enabling customers to ask Alexa to provide schedule updates, list the most recent watering events, and initiate watering in a particular pre-set zone—all by voice. It will be easy for customers to simply say “Alexa, tell Rachio to skip watering today,” or “Alexa, tell Rachio the flower beds need a little bit more water.” Learn more about Rachio at rachio.com.

“Rachio is thrilled to be working with the Alexa Fund,” said Chris Klein, CEO, Rachio. “The possibilities on how to integrate with Amazon’s voice service are endless, and will immediately delight and excite our customers. I can’t wait to be able to teach Alexa skills around making outdoor watering more efficient.”

Why Work With the Alexa Fund?

Beyond financial support, the Alexa Fund builds on Amazon’s track record of helping innovative individuals grow ideas into successful products and businesses. With established business and technology expertise, Amazon can help take your ideas from initial concept to the marketplace by offering tools such as early access to SDK capabilities, hands-on development support for hardware or software, enhanced marketing support on Amazon.com, placement at Amazon showcase events, membership in AWS Activate, and more. Tell us about your idea.

It’s Easy to Get Started

You may also want to check out these additional Alexa developer resources:

Order Echo - Amazon.com Page
Alexa Skills Kit (ASK)
Alexa Voice Service (AVS)
Alexa Fund
Alexa Developer Forums
Getting Started with the Alexa Skills Kit
Alexa Skills Kit Voice Design Handbook
Create a developer account on the Amazon Appstore

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