Becoming the HubSpot Partner of the Year: Your Ultimate Guide

Trying to figure out what it takes to be a HubSpot Partner of the Year? Let me tell you, it’s a huge deal in the world of marketing and sales agencies, not just some fancy plaque. This award isn’t just about showing off. it’s about proving your agency consistently delivers outstanding results for clients using HubSpot’s platform. It’s a testament to deep expertise, unwavering commitment, and a real knack for helping businesses grow. Winning this kind of recognition truly puts you on the map, boosts your credibility, and can open doors to incredible opportunities, setting you apart in a competitive . So, if you’re aiming for that top spot, get ready to learn the ropes, because it’s a journey that demands excellence at every turn.

What Does “HubSpot Partner of the Year” Really Mean?

When you hear “HubSpot Partner of the Year,” it’s not just a generic title. it signifies an agency has achieved the highest level of recognition within HubSpot’s global ecosystem. This award celebrates partners who have not only leveraged the HubSpot platform effectively but have also driven significant, measurable success for their clients. It’s HubSpot’s way of saying, “You’re truly crushing it!”

The awards are often broken down into different categories, reflecting the diverse ways partners contribute. You might see awards for things like Global Partner of the Year, Regional Partner of the Year, or specific Impact Awards. These Impact Awards can celebrate achievements in areas like Client Sales Enablement, Integrations Innovation, Inbound Growth Story, Website Design, Graphic Design, Customer Service, Platform Excellence, and even Platform Migration Excellence. There’s even a Yearly HubSpot DEI&B Award for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

What’s cool is that these awards go beyond just selling HubSpot licenses. The criteria involve a deep commitment to customer retention and growth. This means showing how you help clients keep using and expanding their HubSpot usage over years, not just during the initial setup. It also highlights expertise across all of HubSpot’s tools – think marketing, sales, service, CMS, operations, and CRM – and delivering tailored solutions, especially for complex or larger enterprise clients. Winning is a huge trust signal, reassuring potential clients they’re working with an agency that consistently delivers real business impact.

For example, one agency, Avidly, has been named HubSpot Global Partner of the Year for five consecutive years, which is seriously impressive and shows a consistent commitment to excellence. It’s a clear indicator that they’re not just good at what they do, but they’re setting the standard for others to follow.

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The HubSpot Solutions Partner Program: Your Foundation for Growth

So, how do agencies even get into a position to win these awards? It all starts with becoming a HubSpot Solutions Partner. The HubSpot Solutions Partner Program is designed for agencies, service providers, and resellers who are focused on customers and want to learn, grow their business, and use HubSpot’s awesome technology.

This program basically connects businesses with HubSpot experts who can help them get the most out of the platform. Think of it as a mutual growth ecosystem. As a Solutions Partner, you get access to HubSpot’s full suite of tools, resources, and support, which then empowers you to deliver top-notch HubSpot services to your clients.

Joining the program lays the groundwork for a deeper relationship with both HubSpot and your clients, setting you up for a new phase of growth. You’ll find everything you need to be successful, including exclusive certifications, on-demand training through HubSpot Academy, and even a revenue share or commission from the deals you bring to HubSpot. This commission can be pretty sweet, often around 20% of the monthly total paid across all product types for the first 12 months the customer is on HubSpot.

Being part of this program also lists you in the HubSpot Solutions Directory, which is a fantastic way for businesses looking for help to discover your agency. You can showcase your specializations, industry focus, certifications, and client reviews there. It’s a crucial step for building visibility and attracting new clients who are actively seeking HubSpot expertise.

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Navigating the HubSpot Partner Tiers

Once you’re in the Solutions Partner Program, you’ll notice a tiered system. These tiers are HubSpot’s way of recognizing partners’ growth and success, and they’re a key factor in who might even be considered for “Partner of the Year” awards.

There are typically four official tiers: Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Elite. There are also ‘untiered’ Solutions Partners who work with HubSpot but haven’t quite met the goals for an official tier yet.

So, how do you move up these ranks? HubSpot evaluates partners twice a year based on a few crucial variables:

• Monthly Recurring Revenue MRR: This is a big one. It’s based on how much profit your agency is generating for HubSpot, differentiating between sold revenue new licenses sold and managed revenue monthly payments clients make for their HubSpot licenses.
• Retained Clients: It’s pretty straightforward – if you keep your clients happy and on board, without cancellations, it’s a strong sign you’re doing well. High retention rates show you’re delivering consistent value.
• Portal Engagement: HubSpot also looks at how often companies engage with their portals. If clients are actively using the software, it indicates the platform is valuable to them.
• Inbound Marketing Success: This one is about the results you’re getting for your clients. Successful campaigns mean a successful agency.

Back in 2020, to give you an idea, a Gold Partner needed about $3,000 in monthly recurring revenue MRR, while Platinum Partners aimed for around $13,000 MRR. The Elite tier, which is the most exclusive, required agencies to manage a whopping $150,000 in monthly revenue. Recently, HubSpot shifted to a points-based system for tiers, making it a bit more flexible. For instance, a Gold Partner needs a total of 243 points, Platinum needs 645 points, Diamond 2,020 points, and Elite a significant 5,950 points, with minimum thresholds for both sold and managed points. A sold point is roughly worth $33.3, and a managed point is about $10.

It’s good to remember that while higher tiers generally mean more experience and access to HubSpot resources and support, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re the best fit for every type of client. Sometimes, a highly specialized, lower-tiered partner might be perfect for your specific needs. What’s crucial are certifications, industry experience, and a clear understanding of your business goals. What Exactly is HubSpot Pipeline Management?

Becoming a HubSpot Solutions Partner: Your Journey Starts Here

Thinking about joining the HubSpot Solutions Partner Program? It’s a smart move if you’re an agency or service provider looking to expand your offerings and become a true expert in the HubSpot platform. Here’s a breakdown of how you can get started:

1. Evaluate Your Readiness

Before you even fill out an application, take an honest look at your business. Do you have a team with solid skills in inbound marketing, CRM, sales, and service strategy? Is your tech team capable of handling integrations or web development? Are you ready to commit to learning HubSpot’s tools extensively and using them for your own business?

You also need to be prepared for some financial investment. To join, you’ll need to purchase a Starter, Professional, or Enterprise level of HubSpot software for your own agency. For example, a Starter level of Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, or Service Hub might list for around $15/month, while a Professional or Enterprise level often starts around $400/month. There’s also usually a required onboarding fee for Solutions Partners, though this can sometimes be waived for clients you bring on.

2. Apply for the Program

When you’re ready, head over to HubSpot’s partner page and fill out the application form for the Solutions Partner Program. This is your official entry point into the HubSpot ecosystem. Pipedrive vs hubspot vs zoho

3. Complete the Training and Certifications

Once accepted, this is where the real learning begins! You’ll need to complete HubSpot’s training and certification courses through the HubSpot Academy. These aren’t just for show. they’re vital for truly understanding the platform and how to leverage it effectively for your clients. These certifications demonstrate your proficiency in various aspects of HubSpot’s software and inbound marketing strategies.

You’ll go through onboarding with a Channel Consultant and a Channel Account Manager who will help ensure you have the knowledge and tools to deliver inbound services to your clients at scale, including successfully onboarding your first HubSpot customers.

4. Start Servicing, Then Selling

HubSpot’s advice is often to begin by providing services to your clients. As you deliver great results and showcase your expertise, opportunities to sell HubSpot software will naturally emerge from that work. You might sell an additional Hub to an existing client, or they might refer you to someone new.

Remember, becoming a successful HubSpot Partner is all about commitment, skill, and a client-centric approach. It’s about becoming a vital part of your clients’ success stories, and the effort you put in directly correlates to the success you’ll achieve.

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What It Really Takes to Win Partner of the Year

Winning “HubSpot Partner of the Year” is a whole different ballgame than just reaching the Elite tier. While top-tier status is usually a prerequisite, the award demands something extra – exceptional impact and dedication. It’s about going above and beyond the typical metrics and truly embodying HubSpot’s mission to help businesses grow better.

Here’s what I’ve seen separates the winners:

• Exceptional Client Retention and Growth: This isn’t just about selling a lot of HubSpot licenses. it’s about keeping those clients happy, ensuring they’re getting maximum value from the platform, and seeing their businesses grow over time. HubSpot looks for partners who foster long-term relationships and help clients evolve their HubSpot usage for years, not just during implementation.
• Scale and Complexity of Clients Served: Many Partner of the Year winners demonstrate their ability to serve large and complex clients, including some of HubSpot’s biggest customers. This indicates an agency’s capability to handle sophisticated challenges and deliver tailored solutions that integrate deeply with existing tech stacks.
• Deep Expertise Across All Hubs: It’s not enough to be good at just Marketing Hub. Winning partners often show comprehensive expertise across Marketing, Sales, Service, Operations, and CMS Hubs, along with a strong understanding of CRM and business transformation. This allows them to deliver truly integrated strategies.
• Innovation and Security: Some winners are recognized for their commitment to innovation and high standards in security and quality. For instance, agencies holding ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certifications show they meet the highest global standards, which is a huge reassurance for large HubSpot customers.
• Thought Leadership and Community Involvement: While not explicitly a “criteria” in the same way as MRR, partners who actively contribute to the HubSpot community, share their knowledge, and demonstrate thought leadership often stand out.
• Quantifiable Impact: Agencies need to be able to quantify the impact they’ve had on their clients’ businesses. This means showing clear results, backed by data, on how their work with HubSpot has led to tangible improvements in sales, marketing, customer service, or operational efficiency.
• Client-Approved Success Stories: For awards like the HubSpot Impact Awards, agencies submit stories of projects completed for clients, and the client must approve these submissions. This ensures the success is genuine and client-validated.

Think of it like this: HubSpot’s core business value, with a market cap of $25.68 billion USD as of September 2025 and a net worth of $24.47B, is built on its partners’ ability to deliver results. The Partner of the Year award is given to those who best exemplify this mission. For example, Avidly has consistently won Global Partner of the Year, highlighting their unmatched experience and ability to maximize HubSpot’s power for their clients across various services like inbound marketing, sales enablement, CRM implementation, and website development.

The Tangible Benefits of HubSpot Partnership and Winning Awards

Becoming a HubSpot Solutions Partner, and especially climbing the ranks to win an award, brings a whole lot of good stuff to your business. It’s more than just bragging rights – there are real, tangible advantages. Pipedrive vs HubSpot vs Salesforce: Picking Your CRM Champion

• Boosted Credibility and Visibility: First off, being listed in the HubSpot Solutions Directory is a big deal. It’s where potential clients go looking for experts. If you’re a tiered partner, you get to differentiate yourself and show potential clients that you can deliver sophisticated services. Winning an award like “Partner of the Year” or an “Impact Award” further amplifies this, making you stand out from the crowd and instantly increasing your agency’s authority. It’s like having a seal of approval directly from HubSpot.
• Access to Exclusive Resources and Support: As you move up the partner tiers, you unlock more and more benefits. This includes direct communication with HubSpot through a dedicated Partner Development Manager PDM. For the highest tiers, like Elite, you might even get access to a Solutions Architect to help with strategy and deals, and an annual executive onsite visit at HubSpot’s offices. This kind of direct line to HubSpot’s experts means you can resolve issues faster and stay ahead of the curve.
• Revenue Growth through Commission and Referrals: Remember that 20% commission on deals you bring to HubSpot for the first 12 months? That’s a solid revenue stream. Beyond that, the increased visibility and credibility from being a tiered or award-winning partner naturally leads to more referrals and new client acquisition. HubSpot itself is a massive platform, with close to 200,000 customers, and they actively guide those customers towards their trusted partners.
• Enhanced Expertise through Ongoing Training: The HubSpot Academy offers exclusive certifications created specifically for Solutions Partners. This ongoing training ensures your team stays sharp on the latest product updates and best practices, allowing you to offer new, profitable services and build scalable processes. This continuous learning directly translates to better service for your clients.
• Streamlined Operations and Better Client Outcomes: Working within the HubSpot ecosystem, with the support of the partner program, helps you streamline your own marketing, sales, and service efforts. For clients, this means better managed sales funnels, improved lead conversion rates some studies suggest up to a 45% increase with a well-structured funnel, and enhanced customer relationship management, leading to higher retention rates potentially a 47% increase. HubSpot CRM itself is a powerful, cloud-based platform that integrates marketing, sales, content management, and customer service tools into a unified database, making it easier for businesses to manage customer relationships effectively.
• Waved Onboarding Fees for Clients: When you become a Solutions Partner, you gain the ability to waive HubSpot’s standard onboarding fees for your clients who purchase software and receive services from your business. This can be a significant cost saving for your clients and a compelling selling point for your agency.
• Community and Collaboration: You’re not alone! The Solutions Partner Program connects you to a global community of like-minded peers, fostering collaboration and shared learning through forums and events.

All these benefits combine to create a powerful feedback loop: you deliver better results for clients, get recognized, attract more clients, and gain more resources, ultimately contributing to your agency’s sustained growth and success.

How Many HubSpot Partners Are There?

It’s a really vibrant ecosystem out there! There are quite a few agencies and service providers who’ve joined the HubSpot Solutions Partner Program. Different sources give slightly varied numbers, but generally, we’re talking about a significant community.

For instance, some reports mention over 6,000+ HubSpot partners worldwide. Another source, ReadyContacts, states they offer a database of over 3,500+ pre-verified HubSpot partners and consultants from across more than 100 countries.

This large number highlights a couple of key things. First, it shows just how popular and impactful the HubSpot platform is, attracting a massive network of experts. Second, it underscores the competitive nature of the program, especially when it comes to winning top awards like “Partner of the Year.” With thousands of agencies all striving for excellence, standing out requires consistent, exceptional performance. It means that while the community is supportive, the drive for these top-tier recognitions pushes agencies to continuously refine their strategies and deliver outstanding client results. Understanding HubSpot Sales Hub Pricing: Your Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the HubSpot partner tiers?

HubSpot’s Solutions Partner Program organizes agencies and service providers into various tiers to recognize their performance and experience. Currently, there are four official tiers: Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Elite. There are also “untiered” Solutions Partners who are officially part of the program but haven’t yet met the specific metrics for a named tier. Each tier signifies increasing levels of commitment, expertise, and success in delivering value to HubSpot clients, usually measured by factors like monthly recurring revenue MRR, client retention, and software engagement.

How do you become a HubSpot partner?

Becoming a HubSpot Solutions Partner involves a few key steps. First, your agency needs to evaluate its readiness, ensuring you have the necessary skills, resources, and a commitment to inbound methodology. Next, you officially apply for the program through HubSpot’s partner page. Once accepted, you’re required to complete specific training and certifications available through the HubSpot Academy, which helps you master the platform. You also need to purchase a Starter, Professional, or Enterprise level of HubSpot software for your own business. The journey typically involves starting by providing services to clients and then naturally progressing into selling HubSpot solutions as opportunities arise.

What does it mean to be a HubSpot Partner of the Year?

Being named “HubSpot Partner of the Year” is the highest honor an agency can receive within the HubSpot ecosystem. It signifies that the agency has not only achieved exceptional results for their clients but has also demonstrated a profound commitment to HubSpot’s values and mission. The award criteria extend beyond just sales volume, focusing heavily on client retention and growth, the scale and complexity of the clients served, deep expertise across all HubSpot products, and a proven track record of delivering significant, quantifiable business impact. It’s a testament to world-class service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to client success. Pipedrive vs. HubSpot: Real Talk from G2 Users

Is HubSpot CRM really free for partners?

HubSpot offers a robust free version of its CRM, which is available to everyone, including partners. For partners joining the Solutions Partner Program, a foundational requirement is to purchase a Starter, Professional, or Enterprise level of HubSpot software for their own agency’s use. So, while the basic CRM tools might be free, to fully engage as a Solutions Partner and access all partner benefits, your agency will need to invest in one of HubSpot’s paid software tiers. However, a significant benefit for Solutions Partners is the ability to waive HubSpot’s standard onboarding fees for their clients who purchase HubSpot software and receive services from the partner.

What kind of support do HubSpot partners get?

HubSpot partners receive a comprehensive suite of support and resources that grows with their tier level. This typically includes access to a dedicated Channel Account Manager CAM and Channel Consultant for guidance and support. Higher-tiered partners, especially Elite, might also get a Solutions Architect for strategic assistance. All partners have access to the HubSpot Academy for exclusive training and certifications, a Partner Resource Center for news and updates, and the HubSpot Solutions Directory for visibility. Partners also benefit from a revenue share commission on deals they bring to HubSpot and a collaborative global community of peers.

How is HubSpot Partner of the Year chosen?

The “HubSpot Partner of the Year” awards are chosen through a rigorous evaluation process that considers multiple factors beyond just sales figures. Key criteria often include customer retention and growth, demonstrated expertise in implementing HubSpot solutions across various products Marketing, Sales, Service, CMS, Operations, CRM, the ability to serve clients of significant scale and complexity, and overall commitment to delivering long-term client success and innovation. For specific “Impact Awards,” agencies submit detailed case studies of client work, which must be approved by the client and quantify the positive business impact achieved. HubSpot judges then assess these submissions, looking for exceptional performance and alignment with HubSpot’s mission.

How many HubSpot partners exist worldwide?

The HubSpot Solutions Partner Program is a vast global network. While the exact number can fluctuate, various sources indicate a significant presence. For example, some reports suggest there are over 6,000+ HubSpot partners worldwide. Other data points show that there are databases of over 3,500+ pre-verified HubSpot partners and consultants from more than 100 countries. This robust partner ecosystem highlights the widespread adoption of HubSpot’s platform and the strong community of experts dedicated to helping businesses grow.

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