SIMPLER METHOD

Company

The Form

Simpler Method is a collaborative startup studio focused on building and launching fully developed products. Embracing a flexible, partnership-driven model, we tap into a network of expert freelancers, consultants, and subject-matter specialists. Our approach fosters a rich exchange of ideas, bringing the ideal mix of expertise to each project. With a commitment to fair collaboration, we employ a revenue-sharing model that allows contributors to share in the financial success of the products they help create. This means we’re more than a development shop—we’re partners in innovation and invested in long-term, high-quality solutions that benefit both our customers and our contributors.

The Mission

We believe in going beyond "do no evil." We embrace the philosophy of “do what you love, and the money will follow,” recognizing that passion-driven work leads to more meaningful outcomes.

As a private company with no shareholders or venture capital firms dictating our direction, we're free from the pressures of chasing quarterly growth. This independence allows us to focus on what truly matters: crafting solutions with care and staying true to our values.

Founded by a seasoned software architect, Simpler Method thrives on the expertise of technologists who share a love for elegant systems design. While our customers experience clean, fast, and reliable products, this excellence is actually a natural result of the care we put into the foundations—the beauty of the underlying architecture. Our team is dedicated to creating products that are not only functional but built with thoughtful, robust engineering that stands the test of time.

Our mission is to work with passionate, talented individuals, free from artificial constraints or pressure to rush to market, allowing them to do their best work. Together, we solve complex problems by reducing them to their most elegant, simplest forms—focusing on quality and innovation to ensure every solution is thoughtfully crafted and built to last.

The Founder

Ben Benson's passion for technology ignited early, during his high school years, where he spent countless late nights hacking computer systems. His drive and talent led to a prestigious award from the Department of Energy for a cryptography project, and by age 18, he had already secured a position at a telecommunications company.

Over the next two decades, Ben developed a breadth of expertise, leading the creation of innovative products and platforms for Fortune 100 companies, government and education agencies, and startups across three continents. His work has spanned industries and technologies, earning him a reputation for solving complex technical challenges with creativity and precision.

Through this experience, Ben gained a deep understanding of the struggles engineering and architecture teams face under poor management. In order to build successful products, one must find effective ways to transform culture and empower teams to thrive. These insights laid the foundation for Simpler Method.

Outside of technology, Ben is a cellist, a photographer, and a third-generation student of the martial artist Yip Man. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and two children.

Method

Let Them Cook!

At Simpler Method, we believe great software emerges when engineers are empowered to prioritize quality over speed, working with autonomy and creativity to achieve the best results. We focus on creating an environment that allows engineers to think ahead, solve complex problems, and do their best work. Here, our team has both the freedom and support to build thoughtfully crafted solutions—and a genuine stake in the outcome.

Principles

At Simpler Method, we are guided by a set of principles that reflect our commitment to quality, collaboration, and innovation. This ensures that we stay true to our mission, keeping priorities clear and our work meaningful. By following these guidelines, we empower our team to produce exceptional results while maintaining an environment that fosters creativity, efficiency, and customer-focused solutions.

Below are the key principles that drive everything we do:

1. Quality First, Always -- Prioritize building high-quality software. Focus on getting things right rather than rushing to ship, ensuring that every product and feature is robust and scalable. Encourage thoughtful design and architecture, allowing engineers and architects the space to create solutions that last.
2. Simplicity in Process -- Avoid unnecessary complexity in both technology and management. Simpler processes lead to faster, more efficient development, allowing teams to focus on solving problems rather than navigating red tape. Keep decision-making clear and direct to prevent bottlenecks and maintain agility.
3. People over Tools -- Prioritize the people who make the technology work, not the tools themselves. The best outcomes come from talented, skilled contributors who bring ideas to life with their expertise. Provide room for learning, creativity, and professional growth within the team.
4. Collaboration, Not Control -- Foster a collaborative environment where all members contribute to crafting the best possible solutions. Encourage open communication, constructive feedback, and shared ownership of outcomes rather than relying on top-down management or rigid hierarchies. Empower contributors by providing them with the autonomy and support they need to do their best work.
5. Customer-Centric Innovation -- Stay closely aligned with the needs of your customers. Ensure that every feature or improvement adds real value for them, and that feedback loops are short and efficient. Focus on solving meaningful problems rather than chasing trends for the sake of novelty.
6. Continuous Improvement -- Embrace a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Regularly reflect on what’s working, what isn’t, and how processes or technologies can be improved. Encourage team members to share insights, refine their skills, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
7. Security and Privacy by Design -- Integrate security and privacy considerations into every part of the development process. Protect customer data and intellectual property as a core responsibility. Build trust by making security and privacy non-negotiable priorities.
8. Full Automation and Efficiency -- Leverage automation wherever possible, from CI/CD pipelines to infrastructure management. Reduce manual tasks to minimize errors and improve the team's ability to innovate. Ensure that systems are optimized for efficiency and that repetitive tasks are automated to free up creative energy for higher-order work.
9. Integrity and Transparency -- Maintain integrity in all business practices, from internal operations to customer relations. Ensure decisions are made ethically, transparently, and with a focus on long-term success. Be open with contributors and customers alike, fostering trust through honesty and accountability.

Workflow

Ideation

• Ideas come from both internal teams and contributors. We maintain a list of potential projects and evaluate them based on market potential, feasibility, alignment with our company values, and societal impact. Before jumping into product creation, we follow a structured design thinking approach to ensure that every idea aligns with real-world needs and offers a practical solution.

Creation

• This phase involves assembling a team of contributors, refining the product, and developing the MVP. The project becomes more concrete. Contributors, especially developers, designers, and architects, are formally engaged to bring the MVP to life. They are crucial in developing the core product and establishing early operations.

Spinning Out

• If the startup proves successful and is ready to grow independently, it is spun out as its own entity. At this point Simpler Method typically retains equity in the startup and a dedicated team (potentially including former contributors) takes control.
• Contributors involved in the creation phase may either continue working with the newly formed company or exit, depending on their personal goals and the needs of the startup. Those who continue contributing may do so under a new contract with the independent entity.

Scaling Up

• The focus here is on scaling the startup through fundraising, market expansion, and operational improvements. Whether as an independent entity or part of Simpler Method’s portfolio, the company seeks to grow into a self-sustaining business.
• Contributors may be brought on for specialized work, such as platform scaling, performance improvements, or design updates.

Technology

We use the technologies that are best for each project, while maintaining a consistent, overarching microservices architecture and leveraging the AWS platform extensively. This enables scalability, resilience, and global reach. Our development process is driven by best practices, including full automation of CI/CD pipelines, which ensures rapid, seamless delivery of new features. Additionally, we prioritize security at every level, creating highly secure environments for all applications. This combination of cutting-edge technology and disciplined practices allows us to deliver top-tier, reliable solutions.

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