Brian Halligan SuccessStory

In 2000, Halligan joined software company Groove Networks as VP of Sales. The company would be acquired by Microsoft in 2005 and rebranded as Microsoft SharePoint Workspace. Before the acquisition, Halligan had moved to Longworth Ventures where he was a Venture Partner. 

HubSpot Co-founder and CEO

While at Longworth Ventures, Halligan co-founded HubSpot in 2006 together with Dharmesh Shah. The pair had met while taking their master’s at MIT and had a shared goal of developing an online marketing platform. Before launching the app, the HubSpot founders started a blog wherein they would post numerous content about their upcoming software. The blog didn’t just help gain curiosity but also attract HubSpot’s very first users.    

Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, HubSpot developed a tool where every digital marketing and sales needs are addressed. From lead generation to web analytics and even search engine optimization, HubSpot CRM makes it easy for users to develop all of their marketing solutions in one single platform. Additionally, the app also enables users to host conferences and inbound marketing and certification programs.    

As the HubSpot marketing platform grew, so did the number of customers. Today, the company caters to over 95,000 organizations from over 120 countries around the world. Among these organizations include the World Wildlife Fund, G2, Trello, Subaru, and VMware. The company also launched HubSpot Academy, an education platform where users can learn different HubSpot tools and integrations. HubSpot currently has over 305,000 certified professionals. Unsurprisingly, company revenue also grew massively since it was launched; from $255,000 in 2007 to $675 million in 2019. The company went public in 2014 and raised $125 million from a HubSpot stock price of $25 per share. 

Involved with marketing since the beginning of his professional career, Halligan knew the value of developing relationships with not just customers but also colleagues and peers. This led him to create an environment where employees are both respected and empowered. At Hubspot, he developed a policy called “Alpha, Beta, Version One” where employees are able to pitch ideas to management. These ideas then undergo a three-month testing phase and are integrated into the company’s business practices once proven to be successful. His passion for pets also led him to introduce a pet program where HubSpot employees can bring their dogs, cats, or even goats inside the company’s premises on certain days.  

The HubSpot CEO is also seen to be a charismatic leader, rallying his employees through encouragement and motivation rather than through fear. A more democratic and coaching leadership style has led to numerous accolades for the 54-year old CEO. He received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year New England Award in 2011, was recognized by Glassdoor as the Highest Rated CEO in 2017, and was listed by Comparably as one of the Best CEOs in the U.S. in 2017 and 2020.    

Outside of HubSpot, Halligan is also a notable author. He co-authored two marketing books, "Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead" (with David Meerman Scott and Bill Walton) and "Inbound Marketing" (with Dharmesh Shah). Both books received favorable reviews from The Boston Globe. 

Personal Life

Halligan regularly brings his pet dog Romeo to HubSpot headquarters and is his constant companion wherever he goes. He also enjoys taking naps and works from home during Wednesdays. Referring to himself as a “huge nap guy,” he recalled that his best ideas either came from falling into a nap or coming out of it.    

Based on his achievements not just with HubSpot, Brain Halligan is proof that leaders don’t need to instill fear in their peers just to become successful. Whether the HubSpot CEO and co-founder’s leadership style works with every company, there is no denying it has worked perfectly for HubSpot and the millions of relationships the company has forged and developed with stakeholders over the years.