Record OS Raises $2 million in Pre-seed Round led by Episode 1

The funding round was led by Episode 1, with additional backing from a group of angel investors.

These investors include former CFOs and senior executives from major companies such as Wise, Revolut, Deliveroo, and Alphabet, bringing valuable industry experience and support to the startup as it grows.

The launch of Record OS comes soon after the UK introduced its Making Tax Digital rules. Since April 2026, self-employed workers and landlords earning more than £50,000 a year have been required to submit digital tax updates to HMRC every quarter.

The founders first met while working at Wise during its early growth stage. After leaving the company, they reconnected and decided to build Record OS together.

Initially, Record OS focused on creating software for accounting firms that manage self-assessment tax returns. However, while building the platform, the founders realized that many of the same tax-related challenges were also affecting individual taxpayers.

One founder discovered a major mistake in his own tax return despite paying for professional tax support, while the other struggled with HMRC processes after moving to the UK. These experiences inspired them to create a simpler solution.

Today, Record OS offers a direct-to-consumer tax service that combines easy-to-use software with expert human support. Every tax filing is checked by a qualified tax professional before submission, giving users the reliability of a traditional tax adviser along with the speed, convenience, and affordability of a digital platform.

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.”

Founded by Dhruv Chadha and José Luis De La Peña, Record OS helps automate complicated accounting and tax filing tasks for businesses and individuals. Its software connects with business financial data to make managing finances easier, reduce manual work, and help users stay compliant with tax and regulatory requirements.

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