In an example embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C cable comprises a USB Type-C connector and an IC controller coupled thereto. The IC controller comprises a terminal coupled to a VCONN line of the USB Type-C cable, a transistor coupled between the terminal and an internal power supply of the IC controller, a resistive element coupled between the terminal and a control terminal of the transistor, and control logic. The IC controller is to: power on the transistor from a voltage, received at the terminal, falling across the resistive element; power on the internal power supply in response to the voltage being passed through the transistor; power up the IC controller in response to powering on the internal power supply; and operate the control logic to fully power on the transistor, and thus enter an active mode of the IC controller.