MIDAS Education: transforming learning through data

When Megan Harney talks about education, her passion is clear. The Wauwatosa native left Wisconsin for Harvard, worked at Microsoft, and explored the tech hubs of Seattle and Denver before returning home to raise her family and grow her company, MIDAS Education, founded in 2007. Alongside co-founders Patrick Leonard and Jason Brown, Harney is working to solve one of education’s thorniest challenges: making fragmented technology systems work together.

MKEStartup.News sat down with Harney to learn more about her journey, her company’s focus, and how she hopes to shape the future of learning from her base in Wisconsin.

How do you describe MIDAS Education to someone new to the company?

Harney: At our core, we want to solve difficult problems that make a difference in education. We leaned into an area we became very good at — data interoperability. That’s where most of our work is today.

What does “data interoperability” mean in practice?

Harney: Schools and state agencies use dozens of different systems: student information systems, learning management systems, transportation, special education tools, and more. The challenge is making all of these systems talk to each other. Traditionally, that requires a lot of technical talent that school districts don’t always have. Our approach is different: instead of forcing data into a standard format, we keep it in its native state and connect it on the fly. That makes integration faster, less expensive, and more scalable.

MIDAS recently completed a proof of concept in Washington state. What did that project show?

Harney: Washington asked us to analyze 400 million rows of longitudinal data covering 15 years. Using our Dataforge system, we were able to connect all of that information and apply our AI agent to answer questions about issues like chronic absenteeism. The system not only identified overall trends but also flagged specific students who might need extra support. It’s a powerful way to help educators make data-driven decisions in real time.

How does artificial intelligence fit into your work?

Harney: Large language models like ChatGPT aren’t well-suited for education data because the information changes constantly and the models have limits on how much data they can process at once. They also hallucinate, which is dangerous in a mission-critical setting like schools. Our AI agent doesn’t expose sensitive data to commercial systems. Instead, it uses metadata to ask the right questions and then lets our deterministic code do the math. That way, educators get accurate results while maintaining data security and compliance.

What sparked your passion for building solutions in education?

Harney: Growing up in Wauwatosa, I had wonderful teachers and supportive parents who extended my learning at home. But I also experienced challenges — moderate hearing loss, struggles with scheduling, and moments in college where I wasn’t as prepared as my peers. Those experiences shaped me. They showed me how personalized learning and the right supports could make a difference. When I founded MIDAS, I wanted to create tools that give more students the opportunity to succeed.

MIDAS has worked with states in the West. What’s next for the company?

Harney: We’ve had statewide contracts in Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, and Washington, as well as partnerships with districts like Billings, Montana, and Santa Ana, California. We’re exploring opportunities in the East, in Canada, and even in the Middle East. Like most startups, our growth is tied to resources. We have big ideas and a mission-driven vision, but we have to scale carefully.

Is raising additional capital part of your plans?

Harney: We’ve raised about $4.7 million to date, much of it founder-funded, with support from Milwaukee investors as well. We’re open to raising more, but only with the right partners. Our mission comes first. Many edtech companies get swallowed up when investors push for rapid user growth at the expense of impact. We want to make sure any funding helps us stay true to the change we’re working toward.

Harney is quick to acknowledge the hurdles that come with building a mission-driven company. But from her roots in Wisconsin to her leadership in national edtech conversations, she remains focused on using data and technology to improve education for students everywhere, including the state she once again calls home.