---
title: Aviary SendGrid + HubSpot Integration
type: article
created: '2026-04-05'
updated: '2026-04-05'
source_docs:
- raw/2026-01-29-mark-sebastian-aviary-sync-118319589.md
tags:
- sendgrid
- hubspot
- apollo
- email-outreach
- crm-automation
- aviary
- abm
layer: 2
client_source: null
industry_context: null
transferable: true
---

# Aviary SendGrid + HubSpot Integration

## Overview

For Aviary's outbound email workstream, the team aligned on SendGrid as the email delivery platform, connected to HubSpot for engagement tracking. Apollo serves as the prospecting and list-building layer, with lists imported into HubSpot as the CRM of record. This setup avoids the cost of HubSpot Marketing Pro while preserving full engagement visibility.

See also: [[clients/aviary/_index]] | [[knowledge/crm-automation/apollo-hubspot-list-import]] | [[meetings/2026-04-05-aviary-sync]]

---

## Architecture

```
Apollo (prospect data)
    └─→ HubSpot (CRM / contact records)
            ↑
SendGrid (email delivery) ─→ HubSpot connector (engagement events)
```

- **Apollo** is used for prospecting and list-building at small scale. Admin access requested so the team can review existing lists, align targeting, and export for HubSpot import.
- **SendGrid** handles email creation and delivery. Engagement events (opens, clicks) are piped back to HubSpot via the SendGrid→HubSpot connector.
- **HubSpot** is the system of record for contacts, activities, and engagement history. Emails are not created in HubSpot — they originate in SendGrid — but all downstream data flows back.

---

## SendGrid Plan Details

Aviary is expected to be on the **Essentials plan** (~$19.95/mo):

| Plan | Price | Volume | Teammates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials | $19.95/mo | 50,000 emails/mo | 1 additional |
| Pro | $90/mo | 100,000+ emails/mo | Multiple |

**Recommendation:** Essentials is sufficient for current volume. If multiple Asymmetric team members (e.g., Mark + Raphael) need simultaneous access, either upgrade to Pro or provision a shared team login (e.g., `team@asymmetric.pro`) as an admin user on the Aviary account.

**Key friction point:** Logging in as Aaron triggers OTP/2FA, which creates operational friction. A dedicated admin user for Asymmetric avoids this entirely.

---

## Access Requirements

| Tool | Access Needed | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| SendGrid | Admin/team user for Mark | Sebastian to request from Aaron | ⏳ Pending |
| Apollo | Admin access | Sebastian to request from Aaron | ⏳ Pending |
| HubSpot | Existing access assumed | Mark | ✅ |

---

## Setup Tasks (Mark)

Once admin access to SendGrid is granted:

1. **Configure SendGrid → HubSpot connector** — enable engagement event sync (opens, clicks, bounces)
2. **Add tracking** to outbound emails (UTM parameters, pixel tracking as applicable)
3. **Create initial email sequences** in SendGrid aligned to ABM target list
4. **Validate data flow** — confirm events appear correctly on HubSpot contact timelines

---

## Apollo Usage Notes

Aviary currently uses Apollo at small scale (possibly for client onboarding communications — exact use case to confirm). The immediate goal is:

1. Get admin access to review existing account/contact data
2. Align Apollo lists with the Tier 1 ABM target account list
3. Export and import enriched contacts into HubSpot

Apollo functions similarly to ZoomInfo in this stack — primarily a data source, not a sending platform.

---

## Related

- [[knowledge/outreach/linkedin-sales-navigator-setup]] — parallel outreach channel for Aviary ABM
- [[knowledge/crm-automation/sendgrid-hubspot-connector]] — general connector setup notes
- [[clients/aviary/roi-calculator]] — sales tool being built in parallel
- [[meetings/2026-04-05-aviary-sync]] — source meeting where stack was finalized