If you want to get a broken bike bag, a leaky hiking boot, or a damaged ski jacket repaired, it often takes a lot of time and patience. In a back-and-forth email exchange, you first have to painstakingly clarify the problem before a solution and the costs can be agreed upon. For brands, this means a lot of manual effort in so-called RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) processes; for customers, it means a lot of uncertainty when filing a warranty claim or requesting a repair. This is where simplysolve comes in. The software asks only for the details that really matter for the specific case, evaluates the request according to fixed rules, and—thanks to AI—immediately displays the appropriate solution. This could be a repair by the manufacturer, an appointment at a nearby service center, or even a replacement part with instructions for doing it yourself.
From BRAKEABLE to simplysolve
It wasn’t clear from the start that handling service requests would one day become the software’s core function. It all began with frustration: Founder Stefan Hauser, who previously worked in the innovation division of the Mammut Sports Group, was annoyed by how little companies did with their customers’ feedback. This led to the creation of BRAKEABLE, a platform where buyers explain to manufacturers why they’re discarding products. The idea was supported and further developed in Batch #9 of the SCE Incubation program.
In discussions with brands, it then became clear where the greatest leverage lies: in the service requests themselves. Every repair or warranty request contains valuable product data, but processing them takes a lot of time. That’s why Stefan Hauser and his co-founder, software developer Marc Berli, have consistently tailored the product to these service processes. Since June 2026, this strategic focus has also been reflected in the new name, simplysolve.
Today, companies such as ORTLIEB, SPORT 2000, Hanwag, and Penguin work with simplysolve. For a young startup, such references are an important step, because a good solution alone does not necessarily convince new brands.
Trust Through Real-World Testimonials
The startup support program at SCE has shown time and again that trust is what matters most, especially in B2B business. Before companies decide on a new solution, they want to know how others are using it, and real-world testimonials are more convincing than any product description. That’s why simplysolve features existing customers in video interviews and has now published them as part of case studies on its website.
“When executives share their positive experiences with simplysolve, it builds trust among other decision-makers,” says Stefan Hauser. “At the same time, this allows our customers to publicly showcase their pioneering role in customer service.”
The highlight video features excerpts from interviews with satisfied simplysolve customers. Among those speaking are Martin Esslinger, CEO of ORTLIEB, and Dominik Solleder, CEO of SPORT 2000 GmbH.
The case studies demonstrate how varied the brands’ challenges are and the added value simplysolve is already delivering. For example, the collaboration with mountaineering boot specialist Hanwag demonstrates that two weeks of configuration are enough to provide customers with a real-time response, rather than making them wait up to 15 days during peak periods. The ORTLIEB case study also shows that simplysolve benefits not only the brand itself and end customers but also retailers, as the repair service brings customers into the store: Depending on distance, up to 50% of customers have their repairs done at a local service retailer. SPORT 2000, in turn, makes repair and cleaning services digitally accessible to specialty retailers and provides cost transparency early on. And the ski apparel brand Penguin even uses the service data it collects to further develop its products in a targeted manner.
All four case studies are available online at simply-solve.com/de/case-studies.
Repairs Are Becoming a Competitive Factor
As of September 27, 2026, the rules of the EU’s EmpCo Directive (“Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition”) will apply in Germany. This means customers must be provided with more transparent information about warranties, guarantees, and repairability even before making a purchase. But transparency doesn’t end at the checkout: it’s only when a product breaks that it becomes clear whether a warranty or repair promise holds up in everyday use. The case studies show how this can be achieved. At ORTLIEB, clear rules determine warranty and repair cases in real time; at SPORT 2000, customers see the repair price before placing an order. The idea that the SCE supported through its Incubation program has thus become, at exactly the right time, a solution that enables brands to deliver on their promises.
For the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship, simplysolve is an example of how young companies can successfully establish themselves in the market through customer focus and the continuous refinement of their business idea.
“simplysolve exemplifies how entrepreneurial thinking works: listening closely, identifying the actual bottleneck, and refining the idea until it becomes a solution that companies use every day,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Klusmann, Head of Startup Support at the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship.
The development of simplysolve demonstrates the potential inherent in our startup ecosystem. We’re pleased to have accompanied the team on part of their journey and look forward to seeing their next steps.