Wise Alumni Launch Record OS Following $2m Pre-Seed Raise

Record OS, a UK startup building a modern Self-Assessment, and Making Tax Digital platform, has launched publicly after raising $2m in pre-seed funding led by Episode 1.

In addition, the company has secured investment from a group of angel investors, including former CFOs and senior leaders from Wise, Revolut, Deliveroo and Alphabet.

Founded by Dhruv Chadha and José Luis De La Peña, the company is focused on simplifying tax returns for individuals, sole traders, freelancers and professionals with increasingly complex finances.

The launch comes shortly after the UK’s Making Tax Digital rollout, which required self-employed workers and landlords earning more than £50,000 to submit quarterly digital updates to HMRC from April 2026.

The founders first met at Wise as early employees during the company’s growth years. The pair later reconnected after leaving the company and eventually launched Record OS together.

Record OS originally started by building software for accounting firms handling self-assessment, however while developing the platform, the pair realised many of the same frustrations also existed for taxpayers themselves.

Chadha identified a significant error in his own tax return despite having paid for professional support, while De La Pena experienced difficulties navigating HMRC processes after moving to the UK.

The company has now expanded into a direct-to-consumer service, combining modern software with expert human review. Every filing is reviewed by a qualified tax professional before submission, giving customers the confidence of a traditional adviser alongside the price, speed and convenience of a digital platform.

Record OS has transparency at its heart with costs starting at £125 for standard filings, £250 for more complex returns and £500 for specialist cases involving trusts, offshore income and complex investments.

Commenting on the investment, Hector Mason, General Partner at Episode 1: “The UK tax system is undergoing one of its biggest shifts in decades. Dhruv and José combine deep operational experience with a genuine obsession for solving customer pain points. We’re excited to back them as they build what we believe could become the default platform for self-assessment and digital tax filing.”

Dhruv Chadha, co-founder of Record OS: “We started by building software for accountants, but realised the problem still existed on a personal level. When I found an error in my own tax return while testing the platform, I was shocked – I’d paid for professional help, I work in finance, and I was still left wondering whether everything had actually been done correctly. That simply shouldn’t still be the case in 2026, and is the inspiration for the business today.”

José Luis De La Pena, co-founder of Record OS “No one becomes an accountant to mechanically fill tax returns, and taxpayers often think of self assessments as almost a punishment for success, or for starting a venture. We want this friction gone and we know there’s a better way. As Making Tax Digital brings more people online, we’re building a platform that combines the speed of technology with the reassurance of expert review.”

Record OS currently has a six-person team based in central London, including engineers and tax specialists. The new funding will be used to continue developing the platform and expanding its UK customer base.

Record OS is offering 20% off Self-Assessment filings submitted during June 2026. The offer is available to new customers using the platform for the first time. Visit https://www.record-os.com/ to learn more.

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