Retro’s quiet $21M raise

The friend-focused photo-sharing app Retro has pulled in more than $21 million in Series A funding, according to an SEC filing spotted by Business Insider. The filing, dated August 19, sits under the startup’s legal name, Lone Palm Labs, and reveals the round actually closed back in December.

PitchBook now pegs the company’s valuation north of $100 million. Retro hasn’t commented publicly on the raise, and didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The money comes at a telling moment. Social media has become a firehose of creator content, algorithmically ranked and increasingly generated by AI. Retro’s pitch is almost contrarian: show photos to the people who actually know you.

Built by ex-Instagram engineers who saw the feed problem coming

Retro was founded by Nathan Sharp and Ryan Olson, two former Instagram product engineers. They watched the platform drift from a friend-sharing tool into a broadcast network dominated by influencers. Sharp told TechCrunch in December: “Something that has to be true and will be true is that people will still want to see more of their friends.”

His point cuts to the heart of the current social media malaise. The For You page is great for killing time, but it’s terrible for staying connected. Sharp again: “The photos and videos you take will need to find a place where they can reach the intended audience.”

Retro is that place. It strips away the algorithmic noise and puts the focus squarely on your inner circle.

From personal journal to shared photo space

Launched in 2023 as a personal photo journal, Retro has evolved. It now lets you privately share photos of your week with friends, create shared albums, view and share recaps, and even “rewind” to time-travel through old memories. The app has become a go-to for groups who want a shared visual history without the performance of posting to a public feed.

The growth numbers back up the concept. According to app intelligence provider Appfigures, Retro has been downloaded about 7 million times since launch. In-app spending has jumped more than 460% over the past 180 days — a sign that the people who do subscribe are sticking around and using it regularly.

No ads, just subscriptions

Retro’s business model is refreshingly simple: no advertising. Instead, the company offers in-app subscriptions that unlock features like video, GIF and sticker comments, more styles, unlimited history, and special app icons.

It’s a small subset of users who pay, but the company’s bet is that those who do are committed customers. The subscription model also aligns with the app’s ethos — your data and attention aren’t the product.

Who’s backing the anti-algorithm bet?

The investor list reads like a who’s who of tech and venture circles. Thrive Capital leads the round, joined by Figma CEO Dylan Field, Scribble Ventures, Box Group, Imaginary Ventures, Coalition, Conviction, Copper, Positive Sum, and a roster of angels.

The mix of strategic and financial backers suggests confidence in Retro’s vision. Field, who runs a design tool company, likely sees the value in a social app that prioritizes genuine connection over engagement metrics.

What Retro’s raise says about the future of social

The $21M round is more than just a milestone for one startup. It’s a signal that investors are betting on a future where social media returns to its roots — connecting real people with real friends. As AI-generated content floods mainstream platforms, the demand for authentic, private sharing spaces is only growing.

Retro isn’t trying to replace Instagram or TikTok. It’s carving out a niche for something more intimate. And with this fresh capital, the team plans to keep building features that make it easier to share moments with the people who matter most.

For anyone tired of doomscrolling through sponsored posts and AI slop, Retro’s photo-sharing app offers a quiet alternative. The question now is whether it can scale its niche appeal into something bigger. The early numbers suggest it’s on the right track.

Imagine clicking an app icon and watching it spring to life instantly—no spinning cursor, no gray freeze, just pure speed. That’s exactly what Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update promises, and after testing it myself, I can confirm: the difference is real. The August 2026 patch, KB5121003 (build 26200.9168), takes the CPU boost feature that previously only sped up the Start menu and search and extends it to your actual applications. The result? Apps open noticeably faster, and that annoying gray screen freeze after idle or boot is gone. Here’s what’s happening under the hood, why your CPU isn’t in danger, and why Microsoft probably should’ve done this years ago.

There’s nothing quite as frustrating as settling in to watch a video or join a meeting, only to find your PC is mute. The volume icon shows a red X, and hovering over it reveals the dreaded message: “Audio Service Not Responding.” It’s a common hiccup in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, but the good news? It’s usually fixable without a trip to the repair shop. In a recent step-by-step tutorial, a tech expert walks through three proven methods to banish this error and restore crystal-clear sound. Let’s dive into what the video teaches and why these fixes work.

Why Does ‘Audio Service Not Responding’ Happen?

Before jumping into solutions, it helps to understand the root cause. The “Audio Service Not Responding” error typically stems from one of two culprits: a stalled Windows service or a corrupt or incompatible audio driver. Windows relies on two key background services—Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder—to manage every sound your PC produces. If either service hangs or gets disabled, you’ll get silence. Meanwhile, drivers like Realtek or Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) can become corrupted after updates, leaving your system unable to communicate with your speakers or headphones.

Solution 1: Restart Windows Audio Services

The video’s first fix is the simplest and often the most effective. You’ll open the Services app by pressing `Win + R`, typing `services.msc`, and hitting Enter. Look for “Windows Audio” and “Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.” Right-click each, select Restart, and then check if sound returns. If the services are already running but the error persists, the tutorial recommends stopping them first, waiting a few seconds, and then starting them again. This resets the audio pipeline, clearing any temporary glitches. As a pro tip, the video also suggests setting both services to “Automatic” so they start with Windows, preventing future failures.

Solution 2: Reinstall Your Realtek Audio Driver

If restarting services doesn’t do the trick, the problem likely lies with your audio driver. The tutorial shows how to re-detect and reinstall a corrupted Realtek driver using Device Manager. Here’s the drill: right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand “Sound, video and game controllers,” and find your Realtek High Definition Audio device. Right-click it, choose “Uninstall device,” and check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device.” Then, restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver from its built-in library. In many cases, this fresh installation clears the corrupted files that trigger the “Audio Service Not Responding” error.

Solution 3: Switch from Intel SST to High Definition Audio

Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) drivers are notorious for breaking audio after Windows updates. The video’s third solution targets this exact issue. Instead of wrestling with Intel’s buggy driver, you can replace it with the universal High Definition Audio driver. In Device Manager, right-click the Intel SST device (often labeled “Intel Smart Sound Technology for Digital Microphones” or similar), choose “Update driver,” then “Browse my computer for drivers,” and finally “Let me pick from a list of available drivers.” Select “High Definition Audio Device” and click Next. This swaps out the problematic driver for a Microsoft-provided one that’s more stable. It’s a clever workaround that has saved countless users from endless troubleshooting.

What Else Can You Try?

While these three solutions cover the majority of cases, the video also mentions a few bonus tips. For instance, running the built-in Windows Audio Troubleshooter can automatically detect and fix common issues. You’ll find it in Settings > System > Sound > Troubleshoot. Additionally, checking your sound output device—right-click the speaker icon and select “Open Sound settings”—ensures Windows isn’t sending audio to a phantom device like an unplugged HDMI monitor. These extras are quick checks that can save you time.

Why This Tutorial Matters

Sound is integral to the modern computing experience—from video calls to gaming to streaming. When it fails, productivity grinds to a halt. The beauty of this tutorial is its accessibility. It doesn’t assume you’re a tech wizard; each step is clearly explained with on-screen visuals, so even a beginner can follow along. Moreover, the solutions are safe and reversible, meaning you won’t risk damaging your system. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or the latest Windows 11 update, these methods are tested and proven.

Ready to Hear Your PC Again?

Don’t let the red X on your volume icon ruin your day. With the three fixes outlined in the video—restarting services, reinstalling drivers, and switching away from Intel SST—you have a clear path to restoring sound. Watch the full tutorial below to see each step in action and follow along in real time. Your ears will thank you.