Following the launch of its augmented reality tabletop game Beasts of Balance—and a new funding round from UK angel investors worth US$1.8 million—Sensible Object has been chosen as the only UK developer to join Amazon’s all-new Alexa Accelerator program, which is designed to drive voice-technology innovation.

As one of nine startups selected to the Techstars-powered program, Sensible Object is now part of a 13-week schedule of mentorship, training and collaboration in Seattle with technologists and product leaders from Amazon and Techstars. The program will wrap on October 17, with a demo day for the companies to present prototypes and meet with potential investors.

Alexa Accelerator is created by the Alexa Fund, which provides up to US$100 million in VC funding to fuel voice-technology innovation.

Sensible Object’s participation in the program follows its launch of new Beasts of Balance expansion packs on Kickstarter last week featuring new play pieces and a competitive mode for battling. The crowdfunding campaign has exceeded its goal of US$50,000 by US$150,000 with only 19 days remaining.

As for other kid-centric companies selected by Alexa Accelerator, Sweden’s Tinitell, maker of a wearable, voice-controlled phone for kids, also made the grade.

The Alexa Accelerator joins existing incubator programs racing to enhance tech with play like Disney Accelerator, which recently connected with 11 new startups working with concepts including location-based virtual reality, eSports, robotics and game-led learning.