Conor Bronsdon
@conorbronsdon.com
Talking/writing about startups, AI, politics, & software development
DevRel @RunGalileo 🎙 ex-Host of Dev Interrupted, current host of Chain of Thought ⛓️, failed founder, & avid sports fan.
DevRel @RunGalileo 🎙 ex-Host of Dev Interrupted, current host of Chain of Thought ⛓️, failed founder, & avid sports fan.
Glad you enjoyed the thread!
I plan to do a deep-dive into AI code review during October on my Substack as well: conorbronsdon.substack.com
I plan to do a deep-dive into AI code review during October on my Substack as well: conorbronsdon.substack.com
Test Lab | Conor Bronsdon | Substack
Strategic systems thinking for the AI era - pattern recognition across technology, business, and markets. Click to read Test Lab, by Conor Bronsdon, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers...
conorbronsdon.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Glad you enjoyed the thread!
I plan to do a deep-dive into AI code review during October on my Substack as well: conorbronsdon.substack.com
I plan to do a deep-dive into AI code review during October on my Substack as well: conorbronsdon.substack.com
Definitely not - larger players will always try to scoop up innovators
October 4, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Definitely not - larger players will always try to scoop up innovators
Full deep-dive analysis Free on my Substack ⤵️
conorbronsdon.substack.com/p/what-dxs-1...
- DX's influence machine breakdown
- Why LinearB & Jellyfish have new opportunities
- Who will be acquired next?
- What the platform wars mean for buyers
Enjoyed this thread? Follow me for more!
conorbronsdon.substack.com/p/what-dxs-1...
- DX's influence machine breakdown
- Why LinearB & Jellyfish have new opportunities
- Who will be acquired next?
- What the platform wars mean for buyers
Enjoyed this thread? Follow me for more!
What DX's $1B Acquisition Means for the Developer Productivity Market
Atlassian's AI platform play, how DX went $5M to $1B, and what this means for LinearB & other AI code review players
conorbronsdon.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Full deep-dive analysis Free on my Substack ⤵️
conorbronsdon.substack.com/p/what-dxs-1...
- DX's influence machine breakdown
- Why LinearB & Jellyfish have new opportunities
- Who will be acquired next?
- What the platform wars mean for buyers
Enjoyed this thread? Follow me for more!
conorbronsdon.substack.com/p/what-dxs-1...
- DX's influence machine breakdown
- Why LinearB & Jellyfish have new opportunities
- Who will be acquired next?
- What the platform wars mean for buyers
Enjoyed this thread? Follow me for more!
Key lesson for founders:
Are you building features platforms can replicate? Or strategic advantages they must acquire?
DX built what's hard to replicate:
- Community and authority
- Strategic relationships
- Research credibility
- Trusted brand
Product alone isn't enough.
Are you building features platforms can replicate? Or strategic advantages they must acquire?
DX built what's hard to replicate:
- Community and authority
- Strategic relationships
- Research credibility
- Trusted brand
Product alone isn't enough.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Key lesson for founders:
Are you building features platforms can replicate? Or strategic advantages they must acquire?
DX built what's hard to replicate:
- Community and authority
- Strategic relationships
- Research credibility
- Trusted brand
Product alone isn't enough.
Are you building features platforms can replicate? Or strategic advantages they must acquire?
DX built what's hard to replicate:
- Community and authority
- Strategic relationships
- Research credibility
- Trusted brand
Product alone isn't enough.
Pattern Recognition: this playbook works everywhere
Same consolidation pattern:
- Martech: Hubspot acquiring specialized tools
- Security: Palo Alto Networks buying cloud security, identity management
- Now: Dev tools
Specialized solutions get absorbed during rapid tech change.
Same consolidation pattern:
- Martech: Hubspot acquiring specialized tools
- Security: Palo Alto Networks buying cloud security, identity management
- Now: Dev tools
Specialized solutions get absorbed during rapid tech change.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Pattern Recognition: this playbook works everywhere
Same consolidation pattern:
- Martech: Hubspot acquiring specialized tools
- Security: Palo Alto Networks buying cloud security, identity management
- Now: Dev tools
Specialized solutions get absorbed during rapid tech change.
Same consolidation pattern:
- Martech: Hubspot acquiring specialized tools
- Security: Palo Alto Networks buying cloud security, identity management
- Now: Dev tools
Specialized solutions get absorbed during rapid tech change.
Platform consolidation is inevitable.
Pre DX acquisition, Harness acquired Propelo (Jan 2023) and Armory (Jan 2024)
With the DevOps market heading to $43.17B by 2030 (21.76% CAGR) and enterprise buyers tired of managing dozens of point solutions...
The window for strategic exits is narrowing
Pre DX acquisition, Harness acquired Propelo (Jan 2023) and Armory (Jan 2024)
With the DevOps market heading to $43.17B by 2030 (21.76% CAGR) and enterprise buyers tired of managing dozens of point solutions...
The window for strategic exits is narrowing
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Platform consolidation is inevitable.
Pre DX acquisition, Harness acquired Propelo (Jan 2023) and Armory (Jan 2024)
With the DevOps market heading to $43.17B by 2030 (21.76% CAGR) and enterprise buyers tired of managing dozens of point solutions...
The window for strategic exits is narrowing
Pre DX acquisition, Harness acquired Propelo (Jan 2023) and Armory (Jan 2024)
With the DevOps market heading to $43.17B by 2030 (21.76% CAGR) and enterprise buyers tired of managing dozens of point solutions...
The window for strategic exits is narrowing
+ don't forget about Graphite (who I just had a great interview with on my Chain of Thought Podcast_
youtu.be/VeRQuEmLTUM?...
This market is extremely competitive, and acquisition timing will be crucial - companies can't wait too long.
youtu.be/VeRQuEmLTUM?...
This market is extremely competitive, and acquisition timing will be crucial - companies can't wait too long.
If Code Generation is Solved What's Next? | Graphite’s Greg Foster
YouTube video by Galileo
youtu.be
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
+ don't forget about Graphite (who I just had a great interview with on my Chain of Thought Podcast_
youtu.be/VeRQuEmLTUM?...
This market is extremely competitive, and acquisition timing will be crucial - companies can't wait too long.
youtu.be/VeRQuEmLTUM?...
This market is extremely competitive, and acquisition timing will be crucial - companies can't wait too long.
LinearB's differentiation: combo AI code review w/ workflow automation + productivity measurement
But competition is fierce
- @coderabbitai.bsky.social hit $550M valuation with sophisticated multi-agent architecture
- Qodo leads open-source
- @github.com's Copilot = native integration advantage
But competition is fierce
- @coderabbitai.bsky.social hit $550M valuation with sophisticated multi-agent architecture
- Qodo leads open-source
- @github.com's Copilot = native integration advantage
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
LinearB's differentiation: combo AI code review w/ workflow automation + productivity measurement
But competition is fierce
- @coderabbitai.bsky.social hit $550M valuation with sophisticated multi-agent architecture
- Qodo leads open-source
- @github.com's Copilot = native integration advantage
But competition is fierce
- @coderabbitai.bsky.social hit $550M valuation with sophisticated multi-agent architecture
- Qodo leads open-source
- @github.com's Copilot = native integration advantage
There is also a surprising opening for DX competitors -
@atlassian.bsky.social ecosystem means DX will optimize for Jira + BitBucket
@github.com & @gitlab.com orgs need alternatives
Creates an opening for cross-platform solutions - LinearB is particularly well-positioned here if they can execute
@atlassian.bsky.social ecosystem means DX will optimize for Jira + BitBucket
@github.com & @gitlab.com orgs need alternatives
Creates an opening for cross-platform solutions - LinearB is particularly well-positioned here if they can execute
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
There is also a surprising opening for DX competitors -
@atlassian.bsky.social ecosystem means DX will optimize for Jira + BitBucket
@github.com & @gitlab.com orgs need alternatives
Creates an opening for cross-platform solutions - LinearB is particularly well-positioned here if they can execute
@atlassian.bsky.social ecosystem means DX will optimize for Jira + BitBucket
@github.com & @gitlab.com orgs need alternatives
Creates an opening for cross-platform solutions - LinearB is particularly well-positioned here if they can execute
Likely targets:
- LinearB
- Jellyfish
- Or or combo of smaller player (Swarmia, etc) + AI code review startup like @coderabbitai.bsky.social
+ expect @gitlab.com to snap up the other, and perhaps we'll see another acquisition of a smaller competitor like Allstacks as with Harness + Propello
- LinearB
- Jellyfish
- Or or combo of smaller player (Swarmia, etc) + AI code review startup like @coderabbitai.bsky.social
+ expect @gitlab.com to snap up the other, and perhaps we'll see another acquisition of a smaller competitor like Allstacks as with Harness + Propello
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Likely targets:
- LinearB
- Jellyfish
- Or or combo of smaller player (Swarmia, etc) + AI code review startup like @coderabbitai.bsky.social
+ expect @gitlab.com to snap up the other, and perhaps we'll see another acquisition of a smaller competitor like Allstacks as with Harness + Propello
- LinearB
- Jellyfish
- Or or combo of smaller player (Swarmia, etc) + AI code review startup like @coderabbitai.bsky.social
+ expect @gitlab.com to snap up the other, and perhaps we'll see another acquisition of a smaller competitor like Allstacks as with Harness + Propello
There will be a counter-move.
@microsoft.com poses biggest threat with integrated @github.com, Azure DevOps, and Teams ecosystem
But they lack specialized developer productivity measurement capabilities.
My prediction:
Microsoft makes a counter-acquisition by mid-2026
@microsoft.com poses biggest threat with integrated @github.com, Azure DevOps, and Teams ecosystem
But they lack specialized developer productivity measurement capabilities.
My prediction:
Microsoft makes a counter-acquisition by mid-2026
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
There will be a counter-move.
@microsoft.com poses biggest threat with integrated @github.com, Azure DevOps, and Teams ecosystem
But they lack specialized developer productivity measurement capabilities.
My prediction:
Microsoft makes a counter-acquisition by mid-2026
@microsoft.com poses biggest threat with integrated @github.com, Azure DevOps, and Teams ecosystem
But they lack specialized developer productivity measurement capabilities.
My prediction:
Microsoft makes a counter-acquisition by mid-2026
With 90% of DX customers already using @atlassian.bsky.social products, the distribution synergy is obvious
Atlassian now has AI-powered tools AND the intelligence layer to measure their impact
Complete software delivery intelligence within a single ecosystem. No competitor can match this.
Atlassian now has AI-powered tools AND the intelligence layer to measure their impact
Complete software delivery intelligence within a single ecosystem. No competitor can match this.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
With 90% of DX customers already using @atlassian.bsky.social products, the distribution synergy is obvious
Atlassian now has AI-powered tools AND the intelligence layer to measure their impact
Complete software delivery intelligence within a single ecosystem. No competitor can match this.
Atlassian now has AI-powered tools AND the intelligence layer to measure their impact
Complete software delivery intelligence within a single ecosystem. No competitor can match this.
With DX's differentiation + rapid growth off minimal fundraising (~$5M raised ➡️$40M+ ARR), and the AI measurement gold rush, the $1 billion for @atlassian.bsky.social to purchase DX almost starts to feel cheap.
As they said "Engineering Intelligence for the AI Era"
bsky.app/profile/atla...
As they said "Engineering Intelligence for the AI Era"
bsky.app/profile/atla...
Atlassian has entered into an agreement to acquire DX, the leader in developer intelligence for enterprise teams.
By combining our expertise in teamwork with DX's engineering intelligence, we're empowering every team to thrive in the AI era.
Learn more: https://go.atlss.in/8tgq9k
By combining our expertise in teamwork with DX's engineering intelligence, we're empowering every team to thrive in the AI era.
Learn more: https://go.atlss.in/8tgq9k
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
With DX's differentiation + rapid growth off minimal fundraising (~$5M raised ➡️$40M+ ARR), and the AI measurement gold rush, the $1 billion for @atlassian.bsky.social to purchase DX almost starts to feel cheap.
As they said "Engineering Intelligence for the AI Era"
bsky.app/profile/atla...
As they said "Engineering Intelligence for the AI Era"
bsky.app/profile/atla...
Then you add timing - we're in an AI measurement gold rush.
Companies are pouring money into @github.com's Copilot, @cursor.com.web.brid.gy & CLaude Code
The question: "Are these AI tools actually making developers more productive?"
Someone needs to answer that. DX positioned perfectly
Companies are pouring money into @github.com's Copilot, @cursor.com.web.brid.gy & CLaude Code
The question: "Are these AI tools actually making developers more productive?"
Someone needs to answer that. DX positioned perfectly
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Then you add timing - we're in an AI measurement gold rush.
Companies are pouring money into @github.com's Copilot, @cursor.com.web.brid.gy & CLaude Code
The question: "Are these AI tools actually making developers more productive?"
Someone needs to answer that. DX positioned perfectly
Companies are pouring money into @github.com's Copilot, @cursor.com.web.brid.gy & CLaude Code
The question: "Are these AI tools actually making developers more productive?"
Someone needs to answer that. DX positioned perfectly
Together, this multi-layered advantage created an echo chamber effect. You heard DX's perspective everywhere.
- Right message
- Strategic backing + allies
- Influence machine to evangelize
- Differentiated product
- Research-driven authority
Each layer reinforced the next
- Right message
- Strategic backing + allies
- Influence machine to evangelize
- Differentiated product
- Research-driven authority
Each layer reinforced the next
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Together, this multi-layered advantage created an echo chamber effect. You heard DX's perspective everywhere.
- Right message
- Strategic backing + allies
- Influence machine to evangelize
- Differentiated product
- Research-driven authority
Each layer reinforced the next
- Right message
- Strategic backing + allies
- Influence machine to evangelize
- Differentiated product
- Research-driven authority
Each layer reinforced the next
DX positioned as developer champions with a survey-first approach.
This messaging defanged resistance + made developers ADVOCATES in enterprise purchasing decisions.
It was strategic product positioning solving the category's biggest adoption barrier.
This messaging defanged resistance + made developers ADVOCATES in enterprise purchasing decisions.
It was strategic product positioning solving the category's biggest adoption barrier.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
DX positioned as developer champions with a survey-first approach.
This messaging defanged resistance + made developers ADVOCATES in enterprise purchasing decisions.
It was strategic product positioning solving the category's biggest adoption barrier.
This messaging defanged resistance + made developers ADVOCATES in enterprise purchasing decisions.
It was strategic product positioning solving the category's biggest adoption barrier.
DX's message was a brilliant wedge.
Here's what killed most competitors: developers RESIST being measured. It feels like surveillance.
DX's genius: framing as "improving developer experience" vs "measuring developer output"
Same data. Completely different narrative.
Here's what killed most competitors: developers RESIST being measured. It feels like surveillance.
DX's genius: framing as "improving developer experience" vs "measuring developer output"
Same data. Completely different narrative.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
DX's message was a brilliant wedge.
Here's what killed most competitors: developers RESIST being measured. It feels like surveillance.
DX's genius: framing as "improving developer experience" vs "measuring developer output"
Same data. Completely different narrative.
Here's what killed most competitors: developers RESIST being measured. It feels like surveillance.
DX's genius: framing as "improving developer experience" vs "measuring developer output"
Same data. Completely different narrative.
At the core of this approach was founder-driven brand building
Abi Noda grew his LinkedIn to 25K+ followers with consistent valuable content, while Laura evangelized.
Hard to do as a busy founder, but massive leverage when done right.
And their message? Pro-developers.
Abi Noda grew his LinkedIn to 25K+ followers with consistent valuable content, while Laura evangelized.
Hard to do as a busy founder, but massive leverage when done right.
And their message? Pro-developers.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
At the core of this approach was founder-driven brand building
Abi Noda grew his LinkedIn to 25K+ followers with consistent valuable content, while Laura evangelized.
Hard to do as a busy founder, but massive leverage when done right.
And their message? Pro-developers.
Abi Noda grew his LinkedIn to 25K+ followers with consistent valuable content, while Laura evangelized.
Hard to do as a busy founder, but massive leverage when done right.
And their message? Pro-developers.
They created frameworks (Core 4), published with @github.com, hired key influencers (Laura Tacho as CTO)
A layered influence machine where every move reinforced their message - & was spread by their allies (like @lennysan.bsky.social)
Brilliant execution!
www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/introducin...
A layered influence machine where every move reinforced their message - & was spread by their allies (like @lennysan.bsky.social)
Brilliant execution!
www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/introducin...
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
They created frameworks (Core 4), published with @github.com, hired key influencers (Laura Tacho as CTO)
A layered influence machine where every move reinforced their message - & was spread by their allies (like @lennysan.bsky.social)
Brilliant execution!
www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/introducin...
A layered influence machine where every move reinforced their message - & was spread by their allies (like @lennysan.bsky.social)
Brilliant execution!
www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/introducin...
This isn't just fundraising. It's strategic network acquisition. Influence as moat.
While competitors built dashboards, DX positioned as THE research authority on developer experience measurement.
They led with developer experience --> productivity, and did deep research
While competitors built dashboards, DX positioned as THE research authority on developer experience measurement.
They led with developer experience --> productivity, and did deep research
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
This isn't just fundraising. It's strategic network acquisition. Influence as moat.
While competitors built dashboards, DX positioned as THE research authority on developer experience measurement.
They led with developer experience --> productivity, and did deep research
While competitors built dashboards, DX positioned as THE research authority on developer experience measurement.
They led with developer experience --> productivity, and did deep research
The Strategic Network Effect:
DX recruited software engineering's most trusted voices as investors + advisors including @gergely.pragmaticengineer.com
Nat Friedman (ex Github CEO)
Will Larson, CTO of Imprint
Jason Warner, CEO of Poolside.ai - now on @atlassian.bsky.social's board post-acquisition
DX recruited software engineering's most trusted voices as investors + advisors including @gergely.pragmaticengineer.com
Nat Friedman (ex Github CEO)
Will Larson, CTO of Imprint
Jason Warner, CEO of Poolside.ai - now on @atlassian.bsky.social's board post-acquisition
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The Strategic Network Effect:
DX recruited software engineering's most trusted voices as investors + advisors including @gergely.pragmaticengineer.com
Nat Friedman (ex Github CEO)
Will Larson, CTO of Imprint
Jason Warner, CEO of Poolside.ai - now on @atlassian.bsky.social's board post-acquisition
DX recruited software engineering's most trusted voices as investors + advisors including @gergely.pragmaticengineer.com
Nat Friedman (ex Github CEO)
Will Larson, CTO of Imprint
Jason Warner, CEO of Poolside.ai - now on @atlassian.bsky.social's board post-acquisition
DX's playbook wasn't just building better features. It was strategic positioning + creating a flywheel.
I wrote a memo 2+ years ago at LinearB.io flagging DX as our biggest competitive threat thanks to their perspective + strategic execution
Here's what they did differently👇
I wrote a memo 2+ years ago at LinearB.io flagging DX as our biggest competitive threat thanks to their perspective + strategic execution
Here's what they did differently👇
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
DX's playbook wasn't just building better features. It was strategic positioning + creating a flywheel.
I wrote a memo 2+ years ago at LinearB.io flagging DX as our biggest competitive threat thanks to their perspective + strategic execution
Here's what they did differently👇
I wrote a memo 2+ years ago at LinearB.io flagging DX as our biggest competitive threat thanks to their perspective + strategic execution
Here's what they did differently👇
And @atlassian.bsky.social has never been afraid of large acquisitions to enhance their platform capabilities - Trello ($425M), Opsgenie ($295M), AgileCraft ($166M), Loom ($975M), BrowserCo ($610M) and now DX for $1B
But what got DX to a $1B valuation (and rumored $40M ARR)?
But what got DX to a $1B valuation (and rumored $40M ARR)?
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
And @atlassian.bsky.social has never been afraid of large acquisitions to enhance their platform capabilities - Trello ($425M), Opsgenie ($295M), AgileCraft ($166M), Loom ($975M), BrowserCo ($610M) and now DX for $1B
But what got DX to a $1B valuation (and rumored $40M ARR)?
But what got DX to a $1B valuation (and rumored $40M ARR)?
When a company hits unicorn status off less than ~$5M raised, it reveals something bigger than stellar execution. It reveals an exploding market.
The developer productivity space is entering its consolidation era, accelerated by AI measurement becoming mission-critical.
The developer productivity space is entering its consolidation era, accelerated by AI measurement becoming mission-critical.
October 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
When a company hits unicorn status off less than ~$5M raised, it reveals something bigger than stellar execution. It reveals an exploding market.
The developer productivity space is entering its consolidation era, accelerated by AI measurement becoming mission-critical.
The developer productivity space is entering its consolidation era, accelerated by AI measurement becoming mission-critical.