LC is a technology startup from Vietnam, known for its smart device that reads electricity, water, and gas consumption using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology and wireless connectivity. Instead of replacing traditional utility meters, LC’s solution can be directly attached to existing meters, helping reduce initial investment costs and enabling easy deployment in residential areas, buildings, factories, or large urban zones. This is a simple yet practical technological approach that effectively addresses a long-standing issue in energy consumption management: the manual meter reading process, which is labor-intensive, prone to errors, lacks transparency, and does not provide real-time feedback.
By automating the reading, reporting, and alerting processes, LC’s device not only reduces operational burdens but also enhances the accuracy and transparency of energy management. With real-time data, management units can easily detect anomalies in consumption, enabling timely adjustments to optimize costs and operational efficiency. In the context of rapid smart urbanization and digital transformation, LC’s product becomes a crucial technological component of modern urban infrastructure management ecosystems, where flexibility, fast integration, and low deployment costs are essential.
What sets LC apart is its choice of technology that aligns with real-world conditions. Rather than pursuing entirely new metering systems, which would require mass replacement and significant investment, LC opts for a more economical and flexible approach: leveraging existing infrastructure and adding a technological layer to transform traditional meters into smart devices. This method not only fits Vietnam’s economic and technical context but also opens the door to scalability in other countries with similar infrastructures. LC‘s gradual expansion into markets such as Singapore and Australia is a clear testament to the adaptability and scalability of its product. Notably, at the P4G Vietnam Summit 2025, LC had the opportunity to showcase its device to numerous international partners, investors, and energy experts, laying the groundwork for future technological cooperation and product commercialization in emerging urban markets.
In terms of support, LC has participated in several innovation ecosystem connection programs organized by both international and domestic organizations. These initiatives have provided valuable resources for the founding team to further develop their product, expand their network, and access global markets. According to internal data, LC previously secured seed funding from a local private investment fund and is currently in the fundraising process to scale up manufacturing and develop a real-time integrated data management platform.
One key lesson from LC‘s journey is that not all innovation starts with breakthrough technology. Sometimes, a clear understanding of the problem, a firm grasp of existing infrastructure, and optimization of what is already available can yield the most practical and scalable solutions. For other founders, LC demonstrates that choosing the right technology suited to the target market and focusing on implementability is just as important as having cutting-edge technology.
In an era where data underpins every decision, solutions like those offered by LC not only contribute to the digitalization of the energy sector but also promote more sustainable and efficient development for modern cities. This stands as proof that small but well-directed innovations can indeed create significant and lasting value for society.
