That seems to be an implementation flaw. USB-C provides 5V by default with no negotiation which should be enough to power the controller and allow it to negotiate a higher voltage.
> USB-C provides 5V by default with no negotiation
Just to be pedantic, USB-C does need negotiation before it provides 5V, but that negotiation is just a pair of resistors of a specific value.
(Since the USB-C cable is symmetric, this negotiation is necessary to decide which end will provide the power. One end has both resistors wired as a pull-down, and the other end has both resistors wired as a pull-up. The end with both resistors wired as a pull-up will initially provide the 5V power.)
Just to be pedantic, USB-C does need negotiation before it provides 5V, but that negotiation is just a pair of resistors of a specific value.
(Since the USB-C cable is symmetric, this negotiation is necessary to decide which end will provide the power. One end has both resistors wired as a pull-down, and the other end has both resistors wired as a pull-up. The end with both resistors wired as a pull-up will initially provide the 5V power.)