About Cold Iron Labs
Who Are We
Cold Iron Labs exists to help organizations engineer what we call the Intelligent Organization — one that moves with clarity, discipline, and purpose.
We partner with private equity–backed companies and mid-market firms to bridge the gap between technology strategy and operational execution. Whether the challenge is stabilizing IT operations, planning a digital transformation, or deploying AI-driven automation, we bring hands-on leadership that delivers measurable business outcomes.
Core Services
Fractional & Interim CIO Services
Stabilize and scale your IT function with experienced leadership that delivers clarity, control, and measurable business outcomes.
Digital Transformation Planning and Execution
Align your technology roadmap with your value creation plan, from assessment to execution.
AI & Automation Strategy
Deploy intelligent automation to expand capabilities, streamline operations and improve decision-making.
Cybersecurity Program Creation & Implementation
Design and deploy comprehensive cybersecurity programs that safeguard assets, ensure compliance, and build resilience against evolving threats.
Software Selection & Vendor Management
Make technology decisions with confidence. We evaluate platforms, negotiate contracts, and manage vendor accountability to protect your investment.
Executive Coaching for Technology Leaders
Equip your CIOs, CTOs, and IT managers with the mindset and structure needed to lead in high-stakes, private equity–backed environments.
Why Us?
Operator-First Mindset
We bring real-world leadership experience, not just consulting theory. Our advice is grounded in operational reality.
Discipline and Delivery
Every engagement is structured, transparent, and outcome-focused. We measure success by business impact, not slide decks.
Speed to Clarity
We move fast to diagnose complexity, align stakeholders, and create actionable next steps that build momentum.
Meet the Founder
Michael Franklin
I’m Michael Franklin, founder of Cold Iron Labs. I help business leaders build intelligent organizations — ones that think, adapt, and execute with clarity. My work focuses on bringing together strategy, technology, and automation to create systems that scale and decisions that improve over time.
For more than two decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of technology and leadership, helping companies simplify complexity and turn digital ambition into measurable results. I believe AI and automation are most powerful when they serve people — when they free teams to focus on higher-value work and help leaders see their organizations more clearly.
Cold Iron Labs exists to bring that vision to life. We help clients engineer intelligent organizations that perform with precision, learn continuously, and move faster toward what matters most.