The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Pivoting to Retool (Interview)
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Jul 17, 2025 
David Hsu, the Co-founder and CEO of Retool, shares insights on building a top internal tools platform that empowers developers. He discusses the pivot from a P2P payments concept during Y Combinator, highlighting the evolution into AI-driven solutions for enterprises. The conversation explores the importance of custom internal tools, the innovative use of AI to streamline development, and the shift from spreadsheets to bespoke applications. David also illustrates unique tool creations that enhance operational efficiency, pointing to a future where AI transforms productivity.
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Humble Origins of Retool
- David Hsu and his co-founder were lazy engineers frustrated by repeatedly building internal tools from scratch.
- Their dissatisfaction with this led to the creation of Retool to simplify internal tool development.
Most Software Is Internal
- Over half of all software worldwide is internal-facing rather than consumer-facing.
- Non-software companies employ many engineers building these crucial internal business applications.
Tyco's Massive Internal Dev Spend
- A Fortune 500 company, Tyco Electronics, spends about $500 million yearly on internal software development.
- This revealed to Retool the massive scale and opportunity in internal tools.