Marketing is the 'biggest use case' for AI tools, says HubSpot CEO Yamini Rangan

HubSpot CEO Yamini Rangan introduced the company’s new AI platform, Breeze, aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses easily integrate AI tools, particularly for marketing, which has seen significant user engagement. She emphasized HubSpot’s commitment to organic growth and accessibility, projecting substantial market expansion in CRM and commerce while addressing competitive dynamics and acquisition rumors.

In a recent segment, HubSpot CEO Yamini Rangan discussed the company’s new AI platform, Breeze, which was launched during the Inbound Conference. This platform is designed to simplify the integration of AI tools for small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to easily discover and utilize AI features. Rangan highlighted that HubSpot has been rolling out AI functionalities over the past 18 months, with marketing being the primary use case. Approximately 65% of HubSpot’s AI users have already created marketing content using these tools, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction among users.

Rangan emphasized the significant growth potential in the market for customer relationship management (CRM) and commerce, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. She projected that this market could expand from $76 billion to $128 billion by 2029. The growth is attributed to businesses consolidating their operations on fewer platforms to reduce costs and gain better insights into customer journeys. HubSpot aims to capitalize on this trend by continuing to enhance its offerings in marketing, sales, service, and operations.

When asked about potential acquisition rumors involving Alphabet, Rangan reiterated HubSpot’s commitment to building a long-term business focused on serving small and medium-sized enterprises. She declined to comment on the specifics of the acquisition talks but emphasized that HubSpot has evolved from a marketing automation tool to a comprehensive customer platform over the past 18 years. The company is dedicated to its mission and is not currently pursuing acquisition opportunities.

Rangan also addressed the competitive landscape, noting that other companies like Intuit and Adobe are targeting similar markets with their enterprise solutions. She acknowledged the high valuations of AI startups in the marketing space but clarified that HubSpot’s growth strategy will primarily focus on organic development of its product capabilities. The company aims to make its platform accessible and user-friendly for small businesses, encouraging them to start their digital journey with HubSpot.

To support this strategy, HubSpot has made efforts to reduce pricing and eliminate barriers to entry, such as seat minimums. Rangan stated that the key to success in this market lies in providing a unified platform that is easy to use and delivers value quickly. By focusing on these principles, HubSpot aims to attract and retain customers while continuing to innovate and expand its product offerings in the evolving landscape of AI and digital marketing.