Brian Halligan
Brian Halligan co-founded HubSpot, writes about marketing and leadership, and hosts Long Strange Trip, a Sequoia podcast about the work of being a CEO.
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Known for
Sequoia Capital
WileyOverview
- Known for
- HubSpot co-founder, marketing author, and podcast host
- Started
- Co-founded HubSpot with MIT classmate Dharmesh Shah in 2006
- Teaching
- Scaling Entrepreneurial Ventures at MIT Sloan
- Education
- BSEE, University of Vermont; MBA, MIT Sloan
Mini bio
How it started.
Before HubSpot, Brian worked in sales at PTC and Groove Networks and became a venture partner at Longworth Ventures. He studied electrical engineering at the University of Vermont and earned an MBA at MIT Sloan.
The breakthrough.
In 2006, Brian started HubSpot with his MIT classmate Dharmesh Shah. Their idea, inbound marketing, encouraged businesses to attract people through useful online content. The work grew into software, books, and the INBOUND event. Brian served as HubSpot’s CEO until 2021 and as executive chairperson until May 2025; he remains on the board.
Sharing the lessons.
Brian’s books connect marketing with two subjects he knows well: building an online audience and the Grateful Dead’s relationship with their fans. Today, his Sequoia work includes coaching founders and interviewing CEOs on Long Strange Trip. He also teaches Scaling Entrepreneurial Ventures at MIT Sloan and co-founded the ocean-focused climate investment firm Propeller Ventures.
Creditschronological, newest first
Podcasts
- 2025–presentLong Strange Trip: CEO to CEO with Brian HalliganHost
Books
- 2025Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead, revised and updated paperbackCo-author with David Meerman Scott; foreword by Bill Walton
- 2014Inbound Marketing: Attract, Engage, and Delight Customers OnlineCo-author with Dharmesh Shah, second edition
- 2010Marketing Lessons from the Grateful DeadCo-author with David Meerman Scott; foreword by Bill Walton
- 2009Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media, and BlogsCo-author with Dharmesh Shah
Awards
Quotes
I made most of the mistakes in the book while building HubSpot from the ground up.Brian Halligan, Sequoia Capital profile
Trivia
- He owns Jerry Garcia’s Wolf guitar.
- His Sequoia profile lists the Red Sox, longevity, climate change, and Boston among his personal interests.
- He practices guitar and plays tennis, according to his MIT entrepreneurship profile.
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