Meet Our Guest: Andy Barker, Co-Founder of Fun Inc

Andy Barker, widely known in the Atlassian ecosystem as “Fun Man Andy,” has spent years working with marketplace vendors, solution partners, and businesses to foster collaboration, engagement, and growth. His latest venture, Fun Inc, is focused on helping businesses develop winning growth strategies while creating happier workplaces.

In this episode, Andy shares insights from his extensive experience in the ecosystem, discussing topics like Atlassian’s latest updates, the challenges of adopting Forge, and the impact of pricing changes on marketplace vendors.

Key Topics from the Episode

1. Insights from Atlas Camp 2024

Andy recently attended Atlas Camp, Atlassian’s annual developer-focused event, and shares key takeaways, including:

• How the event has evolved to better serve developers.
• The growing focus on Forge and what it means for Marketplace partners.
• Atlassian’s introduction of new bond terms and their impact on vendors and enterprise customers.
• Discussions around enterprise-wide licensing and the challenges of transitioning from Connect to Forge.

2. The Impact of RFC 60: Monetization & Pricing Shifts

Andy delves into one of the most debated topics in the Atlassian ecosystem: RFC 60, Atlassian’s roadmap for pricing changes and monetization. He explores:

• Why many partners are struggling to adjust.
• How named-user pricing could affect customers and vendors.
• The hidden costs of complexity when moving away from site-wide pricing.
• Strategies vendors can adopt to stay competitive amid these changes.

3. The Role of Fun Inc in Helping Marketplace Partners Adapt

Fun Inc was born out of a need for scalable, affordable consulting solutions for businesses navigating change in the Atlassian space. Andy discusses:

• Why small and midsize marketplace partners are particularly affected by Atlassian’s shifts.
• The importance of strategic partnerships and networking for growth.
• How Fun Inc is offering shared consulting models to help multiple vendors tackle similar challenges cost-effectively.

4. Preparing for Team ’25 in Anaheim

With Atlassian’s flagship conference just around the corner, Andy and his team at Fun Inc are gearing up to help vendors maximize their event presence. He shares:

• Why event ROI is about more than just showing up.
• How Fun Inc is facilitating strategic networking opportunities at Team ’25.
• Why shared event experiences and collaboration lead to better results.

Key Takeaways

• Atlas Camp 2024 refined its focus on developers, with major discussions around Forge and licensing models.

• RFC 60 and monetization shifts are creating uncertainty for vendors, making pricing strategies more critical than ever.

• Fun Inc is stepping in to help partners navigate these changes through scalable consulting and shared solutions.

• Team ’25 is a major opportunity for Marketplace vendors, but success requires strategic planning and meaningful networking.

Final Thoughts

The Atlassian ecosystem is evolving rapidly, and adaptation is key. Whether it’s navigating pricing changes, shifting to Forge, or making the most of events like Team ’25, having a clear strategy and the right support network is more important than ever.

Andy’s insights highlight the power of collaboration, adaptability, and proactive planning. As Atlassian partners and vendors continue to face new challenges, those who embrace change and leverage community-driven solutions will be best positioned for success.

Listen to the full episode here: Apple Podcast | Spotify | Youtube

Join the conversation! What are your thoughts on Atlassian’s latest changes? Share your insights in the comments.