Light Iron was started in 2009 by brothers Michael and Peter Cioni, who recognized changes in the landscape of post production services driven by the rise of file-based cinematography. Along with founders Katie Fellion and Paul Geffre, they developed a business model tailored to creatives embracing evolving filmmaking techniques.

Early on, the team introduced a unique approach to dailies services with their Outpost Mobile Labs. Productions could rent Outpost systems to produce dailies on-set or near-set using their own crews — a faster and more cost-effective alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar workflows. Early clients included "Avatar", "The Amazing Spider-Man", and "Pirates of the Caribbean 4". At the same time, Light Iron completed numerous digital intermediate projects in temporary facilities, including The Social Network, before establishing its long-term Hollywood home in 2010 at the De Longpre facility formerly occupied by Birns & Sawyer.

Following broader industry changes, a group of Light Iron employees acquired the company’s Hollywood facility and assets, reestablishing Light Iron as an employee-owned, artist-led post-production company. The new ownership group is led by Ian Vertovec, Corinne Bogdanowicz, and Megan Marquis, with original founders Michael and Peter Cioni continuing their involvement as advisors.

Today, Light Iron has returned to its roots as an employee-owned, technology-forward post production company.