Retool
Series C+Raised Since FeaturedBuild internal tools, remarkably fast
Low-code platform that enables teams to build powerful internal tools with drag-and-drop components and custom code.
About
Retool is a low-code development platform that lets engineering teams rapidly build internal tools by combining pre-built UI components (tables, forms, charts, wizards) with custom code and direct database/API connections. Founded in 2017 by David Hsu after pivoting from a failed fintech startup called Cashew, Retool repurposed its internal tooling layer into a standalone product. The platform supports both internal and external applications, with over 500,000 apps built on the platform. In 2025, Retool launched AppGen, an AI-powered feature that allows non-technical users to generate enterprise applications using natural language prompts, and Retool Agents for AI-powered workflow automation. The company serves thousands of companies from Fortune 10 enterprises to growth-stage startups, including Amazon, Doordash, Mercedes-Benz, NBC, Brex, Plaid, and Snowflake.
DailyDropout Take
Retool exemplifies the power of developer-first low-code โ rather than competing with no-code tools on simplicity, they gave engineers a way to build internal tools 10x faster without sacrificing flexibility. With ~$120M ARR, a $3.2B valuation, and customers like Amazon and Doordash, Retool has firmly established itself as the standard for internal tooling.
Discovery signal: Rapid ARR growth from $10M to $120M in under 5 years, strong enterprise adoption across Fortune 500
What Makes Them Unique
Retool uniquely bridges the gap between no-code simplicity and full-code flexibility, offering pre-built UI components that can be extended with custom JavaScript, direct database connections, and API integrations โ enabling developers to build production-grade internal tools in hours rather than weeks.
~$120M
ARR
500,000+
Apps Built
$3.2B
Valuation
~$190M
Total Raised
Target Markets
Founders
David Hsu
Founder & CEO
Founded Retool in 2017 after pivoting from a fintech startup called Cashew. Forbes 30 Under 30 (2023). Previously at Palantir.
Retool is hiring!
Team size: ~500
Funding History
Lead: Y Combinator
Lead: Sequoia Capital
Lead: Sequoia Capital
Valuation: $1.85B
Lead: Sequoia Capital
Valuation: $3.2B
Lead: Sequoia Capital
Investors
Firms
Individual Investors
Investor & Author
Former CEO, GitHub
Co-Founder & CEO, Stripe
Co-Founder & President, Stripe
Co-Founder, Y Combinator