Lisa Von Benecke is not just an engineer; she’s an innovator shaping South Africa’s clean energy landscape. As the founder and CEO of LC Dynamics, Lisa is tackling one of the country’s most pressing challenges: access to renewable, affordable electricity. Her company develops smart solar PV window blinds, replacing traditional Venetian blind slats with solar cells to generate electricity, making energy more accessible while integrating seamlessly into homes and offices.
Lisa’s journey into innovation began long before LC Dynamics. “I love innovating,” she says. “It’s been a hobby since college. I took part in a lot of innovation competitions, which helped me get to launching my startup.” Her background in electrical engineering, combined with experience as a maintenance technician at a local power station and volunteering in nonprofit project management, gave her the technical and organisational skills to bring her vision to life.
Her company may have been officially registered only months before being recognised, yet Lisa’s strong vision was clear. “My biggest asset coming into the Startupper Challenge was that the company is based on solving a problem we all experience,” she explains. “Accessing clean, affordable energy is something everyone can relate to, so the solutions resonated with people.”
Bridging the gap between complex clean energy technology and everyday users is another priority for Lisa. “There’s an information gap,” she says. “People want to know what it will cost and what it can power. We’re developing an online platform to give laypeople clear options, estimates, and recommendations.”
Beyond the technology, Lisa is passionate about representation and mentorship. “Women of color need more representation,” she says. “Seeing someone who looks like you in your space gives you confidence. I wouldn’t feel confident stepping into the role of CEO without people ahead of me showing it was possible.”
Her approach to innovation extends to her personal life. Lisa is a self-proclaimed plant mom, gardener, and creative spirit, finding balance through painting, music, and quality time with friends. Even in a perfect world, she says, her curiosity and drive remain central: “I’d still be building things for fun, experimenting, innovating, and spending time with my garden and creative projects.”
Lisa Von Benecke represents a new generation of entrepreneurs who combine technical skill, social impact, and visionary leadership – proving that innovation and sustainability can be profitable, practical, and inspiring all at once.
