Developers:After Dark

What does HubSpot app certification actually take? Jana sits down with HubSpot’s ecosystem quality team to break down the app certification process, what makes a certified app, and how to succeed in the HubSpot marketplace.

In this episode of Developers After Dark, Jana is joined by Marina Lupin and Brittany, two senior technical program managers who live and breathe HubSpot app certification. Together, they unpack what certification really means beyond just a badge—why it’s a signal of trust, how it impacts partner growth, and what developers should expect when applying.

You’ll get an inside look at how the app certification process works from submission to review, including why apps fail, how requirements like 60 active installs and 95% API success rates came to be, and what changed with the new two-year recertification cycle. The team also shares practical advice for HubSpot developers on how to prepare, what mistakes to avoid, and how to use the certified app badge to stand out in the HubSpot marketplace.

If you’re building apps for HubSpot or thinking about applying for HubSpot app certification, this episode gives you the clarity (and honesty) you need.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro & Women’s History Month kickoff
01:49 Meet Jana, Marina, and Brittany
04:00 What HubSpot app certification really means
06:36 Balancing quality vs supporting partners
14:00 Why the install requirement changed (6 → 60)
24:00 The new two-year recertification cycle
30:57 What happens after you submit your app
35:48 Common reasons apps fail certification
43:00 What reviewers actually look for
54:00 Pre-flight checklist before applying
59:00 How to use your certified app badge
01:02:44 Wrap-up and final thoughts

Resources & Links

• HubSpot App Certification Requirements: https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/certification-requirements
• How to Apply for Certification: https://developers.hubspot.com/docs/apps/developer-platform/list-apps/apply-for-certification/applying-for-app-certification
• HubSpot Academy Certification Course: https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/getting-your-app-certified-on-the-marketplace
• HubSpot Developers YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HubSpotDevelopers

#HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotMarketplace #AppCertification #DeveloperPodcast #WomenInTech

We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.com

Want to be a guest?
Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r

The HubSpot App Marketplace rewards builders who don’t guess—so how do you find real demand fast? In this episode, Dax Miller breaks down how to validate pain, ship confidently, and build native experiences with UI Extensions, App Events, and Custom Objects.Dax Miller (Co-founder & Chief Care Officer at hapily) shares the evolution from “gap-filling apps” to going all-in on event tech—because in-person connection is back, and event lead capture needs to be instant, accurate, and CRM-native. We talk about watching users click the “wrong” things (the best kind of feedback), why “launch ready” is basically a myth, and how App Events turn product activity—like check-ins—into workflow triggers, reporting, and timeline visibility inside HubSpot.Chapters00:00 – Intro + where to watch the show 02:03 – What hapily is (native event management) 06:28 – From app studio to focusing on events 17:34 – Don’t build in a vacuum: observe users 20:07 – Validate demand (forums, complaints, willingness to pay) 21:35 – “Launch ready” vs shipping early 34:32 – UI Extensions and building truly native 38:30 – Underused power: App Events + Custom Objects 55:22 – Mentorship: stop, reflect, be intentional 56:46 – Wrap-up + where to find Dax--------------------Links / resourceshapily (event tools + lead capture): https://hapily.com/hapily HubSpot Marketplace listing :https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/listing/event-hapily-event-management-for-hubspot-3974203hapily HubSpot partner case study:https://www.hubspot.com/technology-partner-case-studies/hapily#HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotAppMarketplace #eventtech #uidevelopment #crm We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest? Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training

AI is everywhere—so how do you keep human-centered content creation human?Marc Hans breaks down AI-assisted workflows, content distribution, and the kind of transparency & authenticity with AI that builds real trust.In this episode of Developers After Dark, Marc (Sr. Content Creator at Tango, former educator, and perpetual project-starter) shares how design thinking for developers starts with the human: finding the real pain, desire, and context before chasing the algorithm. He also gets tactical on modern discoverability: titles, thumbnails, descriptions, and why even followers might never see your content unless you package it for search and attention. Along the way, we dig into when to label AI use, how to use AI as “polish” without letting it write your voice, and how creators (and developers!) can stay grounded when tools make scope creep infinite.Chapters00:00 — Marc’s “kaleidoscopic” journey03:25 — Start with the human (design thinking)08:00 — Transparency & authenticity with AI14:00 — Prompting per channel + search strategy16:45 — Content distribution & “algorithm arena”20:12 — Educator advantage + backward design33:49 — Donuts, kindness, and connection36:00 — DropKit project + learning from failure47:18 — Mindset: spirals, evidence, self-talk54:45 — Where to find Marc + wrapResourcesMarc Hans at Tango Tango (product + guides) Marc’s links (Linktree) #HubSpot #DevelopersAfterDark #DevRel #AI #ContentCreationWe aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest? Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r

Check out the Center of Developer Excellence 👉 https://hsdev.fyi/dad-codeTired of feeling like the new kid on the block when building on HubSpot? We're sitting down with 13-year HubSpot veteran Zach Wolfson to demystify the HubSpot developer onboarding process and explore the Center of Developer Excellence (CoDE), a resource built to save you time and prevent tech debt.In this episode, we cover the real-world HubSpot API best practices that aren't always in the documentation. Learn how to think about sync logic, API architecture, and scaling your integrations from day one. Whether you're a solo dev at a startup or part of a large agency, these patterns will help you build better, faster.[ Timestamps ]00:00:30 - The Pain of Being a New Developer00:04:37 - What is the Center of Developer Excellence (CoDE)?00:07:26 - Keeping CoDE Evergreen & The Challenge of Maintenance00:09:54 - It's Not Just the 'How,' It's the 'Why'00:15:22 - Is CoDE for Lone Developers or Enterprise Teams?00:18:00 - How AI and the Gemini CLI Interact with CoDE00:25:29 - The Core of the CRM: Objects, Properties, Associations00:28:00 - Shaving Time Off Your Development Cycle00:34:13 - The Most Important First Step for a New HubSpot Developer00:44:22 - The 'Eggs as a Service' Analogy for API Syncs00:50:08 - Mentorship: Embrace the Change, Separate Your Identity00:53:16 - The Future of the Center of Developer Excellence#HubSpot #Developer #API #Integration #SaaSWe aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Developers: After Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest?Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training

Say goodbye to data silos and hello to seamless partner management! In this episode, we sit down with Simon Van den Hende, co-founder of Introw, to discuss how they built a powerhouse Partner Relationship Management (PRM) solution directly on top of HubSpot.We dive deep into the technical details of HubSpot UI extensions, the business strategy behind their explosive 5X growth, and how they are leveraging HubSpot's AI tools to build a more intelligent and integrated partner experience.

If you're a HubSpot developer or interested in partner-led growth, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

[Timestamps]

0:00 - Cold Open

1:32 - Who is Simon and What is Introw?

3:04 - Who can benefit from Introw?

5:10 - The Power of a CRM Native Approach

6:47 - How Traditional PRMs Create Data Silos

8:26 - Developing with HubSpot UI Extensions

14:09 - Fueling 5X Growth with HubSpot's Automation

16:07 - The Magic of Off-Portal Collaboration

19:16 - How the HubSpot Marketplace Drives Growth

23:35 - Leveraging HubSpot's AI for a Better Partner Experience

32:24 - Mentorship, Process, and Work-Life Balance

38:50 - Where to Find Simon and Introw

44:43 - Like and Subscribe!

#HubSpot #HubSpotDevelopment #PartnerLedGrowth #SaaS #CRM

Find Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonvdhende/

Learn more about Intro: https://hsdev.fyi/introw

We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Developers: After Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest?

Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training

How do you build an AI ecosystem that actually works? Karen Ng (VP of Product, HubSpot) stops by Developers After Dark to discuss the architecture of modern AI platforms.
We explore the shift from "Unstructured" to "Structured" data, how LLMs act as the new operating system for business, and why the definition of "Developer" is expanding to include all "Builders." Karen also shares insights on the tension between "Vibe Coding" and fundamental engineering skills, and gives a candid take on whether AI will replace traditional coding roles.
00:00 - Intro & The "AI Contract" 

01:45 - The Rise of AI Agents & Ecosystems 

04:30 - Unstructured Data: Unlocking the "Pile of Gold" 

07:15 - From Blob to Business: Structuring Data for AI 

09:10 - Career Reality Check: Will AI Replace Developers? 

12:20 - Real Estate Analogy: Tech-Enabled vs. Traditional 

14:45 - Defining "The Builder" & The Role of DevRel 

18:30 - "Vibe Coding" vs. Software Engineering Principles 

23:15 - Parenting Advice for Geeks: C# & Python 

27:00 - Outro: Finding Joy & The Flip Phone

#hubspot #hubspotdevelopers   #aiagents  #softwareengineering  #unstructureddata  #vibecoding  #devrel  #DevelopersAfterDark

Links to check out:Get smart by reading the docs! https://hsdev.fyi/dad-devsiteSimple Events App: https://hsdev.fyi/simpleeventsStruggling with imposter syndrome? Ever built a project and been too afraid to launch it? You're not alone.In this episode, we talk to Justin Givens, the founder of the HubSpot Platinum agency "Image in a Box" and the creator of "Simple Events," one of the fastest-growing event management apps in the HubSpot ecosystem. Justin shares a raw, honest look at his journey, from battling crippling imposter syndrome to finding success by going all-in on HubSpot and embracing the developer community. Learn why your best ideas are worth launching, how to find your audience, and why having a community is the key to developer growth.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro: Deleting Windows to Install a Game04:03 - The Origin Story of "Image in a Box"08:11 - Battling Imposter Syndrome as a Founder10:36 - The Pivot from WordPress to All-In on HubSpot18:31 - The Birth of the "Simple Events" App22:16 - "I Built it for 3 Months, and Then I Stopped"26:05 - The Power of Community: "Just Launch It"31:53 - How to Handle a Constant Stream of New Ideas44:45 - Why the HubSpot Developer Community is Key#HubSpot #HubSpotDeveloper #Developer #ImposterSyndrome #SaaSWe aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Developers: After Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest?Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9\_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r

How do HubSpot Developers reinvent the developer identity? Nicole joins us to trace the path from “webmaster” days to RevOps, personal branding, and vibe coding—where AI supercharges builders.

In this episode of Developers After Dark, Nicole shares how early web tinkering, SEO, and rescuing gnarly corporate projects led to building top HubSpot agencies—then pivoting into RevOps long before it was cool. We dig into why HubSpot’s platform empowers systems thinkers, how a personal brand for devs multiplies opportunities, and why “vibe coding” with AI is unlocking a new builder era. If you’ve ever wondered how to align your skills, story, and tools into a durable developer identity, this one’s for you.

Chapters
00:00 Cold open & guardrails
02:49 Show intro + shout-outs
06:01 Nicole’s origin & HubSpot since 2013
10:08 Early entrepreneurship → web + SEO
14:00 Project rescue: PM & solutions mindset
18:10 Finding “chief martech” identity
19:00 First HubSpot build + Salesforce sync
21:20 Confidence, comms, and influence
24:00 Building agencies & people leadership
29:00 Non-obvious founder lessons
33:00 Personal brand for devs
37:00 Keeping the builder fire alive
44:00 Riding the RevOps wave
47:00 The legendary WordPress recovery night
52:00 Why HubSpot’s closed platform for biz sites
53:00 Work–life integration for ADHD makers
59:00 Investor–mentor era & vibe coding
1:03:00 Closing thoughts

Resources & Links

HubSpot Developers channel: https://hsdev.fyi/dad-hs-yt
HubSpot for Startups: https://hsdev.fyi/dad-startups
HubSpot Developer Docs: https://hsdev.fyi/dad-devsite
Developers After Dark site:  ⁠https://hsdev.fyi/dad
On martech thinking: https://hsdev.fyi/48dh3XC⁠

#HubSpotDevelopers #DeveloperIdentity #RevOps #VibeCoding #PersonalBrand

—
We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.com

Want to be a guest?
Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r

NPEs feel like acupuncture? Same. Today we sit down with Chad Pierce to talk HubSpot CMS development, HubSpot CRM integrations, and how the HubSpot developer community turns curiosity into careers. We also dig into AI tools for developers—as accelerators, not replacements.

Chad traces his path from agency days to running his own shop, why CMS is still his “bread-and-butter,” and how tightly HubSpot’s CRM work now pairs with CMS projects. We get real about mentorship, asking questions without gatekeeping, and using AI for readmes, code reviews, and faster prototypes—all while keeping humans in the loop. If you build on HubSpot, this episode is loaded with field-tested tips and good vibes.

Chapters
00:00 Intro & why devsafterdarkpod.com matters
04:36 Guest intro: Chad Pierce—CMS roots, integrations
10:56 Early web days: tables, floats, Dreamweaver era
14:37 Pre-CMS HubSpot → CMS beta and big leaps
22:05 CMS ↔ CRM: real client integrations & impact
28:25 AI as a developer tool (not a replacement)
40:18 Docs, readmes, examples: AI workflows that help
56:45 Community over gatekeeping; Slack & meetups
1:09:20 Work–life fit, family, bowling, and balance
1:15:20 Shoutout: Canopy Life (skills & tech in Kenya)

Links & resources

• Developers After Dark site: https://devsafterdarkpod.com

• HubSpot Developers channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HubSpotDevelopers

• HubSpot Developers site: https://developers.hubspot.com/

• Give feedback on the Devs site: https://developers.hubspot.com/feedback

• Canopy Life (Chad’s shoutout): https://canopylife.org/

Hashtags
#HubSpotDevelopers #HubSpotCMS #CRMIntegrations #AIDevTools #DeveloperCommunity

We aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking. You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot developer’s channel or wherever you get your podcasts.
Check out the Developers:after Dark website at devsafterdarkpod.com

Want to be a guest?
Fill out the form 👉 https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r

🎙️ What happens when HubSpot’s best developers and designers rebuild the default CMS theme from the ground up? Meet the Elevate Theme — a complete reimagining of the HubSpot CMS experience.Episode summary:In this full-crew episode of Developers After Dark, hosts Nick LaPorte, AJ LaPorte, and Dennis Edson sit down with Sakura Stout, Brandon Van Dyck , and BJ Szyjakowski2, the HubSpot team behind the new Elevate Theme.They dive deep into why Elevate was created, how it replaces the aging Growth theme, and what it means for HubSpot Developers, marketers, and designers alike. From color theory (hello, blurple 💜) to accessibility, React integration, and the struggle between flexibility and simplicity — this episode has it all.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Back on “Daddy” (intro banter)01:00 – HubSpot Developers channel & changelog shoutouts03:00 – Why Elevate was built07:00 – The Growth theme backstory10:00 – Maintenance and design debt12:00 – UX and UI philosophy in HubSpot CMS14:00 – Naming the Elevate Theme17:00 – The “blurple” color palette explained20:00 – Global color theory and accessibility25:00 – Solving inheritance & UI pain points30:00 – Design simplification and border radius settings33:00 – Developer vs. marketer balance37:00 – How Elevate integrates with AI and React42:00 – Building with React + Hubble50:00 – Team dynamics and surprise cameo54:00 – Icons, inline groups, and two-click UX1:00:00 – Lessons learned from building Elevate1:10:00 – What makes a great HubSpot theme1:20:00 – Future of Elevate and HubSpot CMS1:23:00 – Closing thoughts and thank-yous🔗 Useful Links📺 HubSpot Developers YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@HubSpotDevelopers🧭 HubSpot CMS Developer Documentation:https://developers.hubspot.com/docs🎓 HubSpot Academy – CMS for Developers Certification:https://academy.hubspot.com📰 HubSpot Developers Changelog:https://developers.hubspot.com/changelog🎧 Developers After Dark Website:https://devsafterdarkpod.com🔖 Hashtags#HubSpotDevelopers #ElevateTheme #HubSpotCMS #WebDesign #DevelopersAfterDarkWe aim to incorporate the human element and drive a conversation that is fun, informational, and thought-provoking.You can watch Developers After Dark on the HubSpot Developer’s Channel or wherever you get your podcasts.Check out the Developers After Dark website at:https://devsafterdarkpod.comWant to be a guest?👉 Fill out the form:https://share.hsforms.com/2J5me9_v3Rlix21-1LoZWkAbpd9r📢 Important InformationThis is not a support forum. For all support-related questions, please visit the HubSpot Community. 👉 https://bit.ly/49Lto5NDiscover everything HubSpot has to offer: https://bit.ly/3P5A59bFollow us for the latest updates and insights: https://bit.ly/4iJLXve📖 Learn More & Stay ConnectedGet started with HubSpot Development 👉 https://bit.ly/3DhfEmULearn more with the HubSpot Academy 👉https://bit.ly/3P06AFRSubscribe to our newsletter for tips and news 👉 https://bit.ly/41Fm6hCStay up to date with changes that affect you by subscribing to the changelog 👉 https://bit.ly/49J95FPKnow when an Developer Event is happening 👉 https://bit.ly/3VOLT3h🤝 Engage With UsHave feedback? There's a link for that! 👉 https://bit.ly/400bUziLike this video? Give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more content on HubSpot development, integrations, and customization.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Drop your suggestions in the comments below!HubSpot development, HubSpot CMS, HubSpot API, HubSpot integration, HubSpot CRM, HubSpot tutorials, HubSpot themes, HubSpot modules, HubSpot workflows, app development, web development, CRM customization, marketing automation, HubSpot training