I need advice on how to find a very specific co-founder.

Not directly an answer to your question, but a useful tip...

You're spot on in thinking that you need someone who can help you understand the purchasing process at school systems.

But that person doesn't have to be your cofounder.

A mentor, advisor, investor...

All can help you overcome this problem.

It's hard enough to find a trustworthy cofounder you work well with without setting such specific requirements. It's fine to get that kind of support externally :)

There are a lot of online groups that could work, but I have always found my best way of meeting people is through volunteer work. You usually find really genuine people at the event and you never know who you will meet.

If the volunteer event looks like something that the person you are looking for could be there, sign up and go! You don't have much to lose.

I've built my best relationships on accident by volunteering my time.

Try to follow EdTech groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. Maybe, even some education related communities. You have to find person with educational background, who is interested in new technologies and business development.

Ditto @louisswiss. On first principle, seems to be a question about distribution.

Two models come mind:

1. There’s a consulting industry in the education space. You could become a consultant or partner with one. Niche and integrate your tool into your offering. In the process, you’d gain a better understanding of user pains and build relationships.

2. “The product only works of the school embraces it.” Is there anyway to offer a self-serve version that improves a single stakeholder’s life? This could be an entry to the organization and lead to a bottom-up distribution strategy.

It’s also kicking the can down the road. You’d still have to figure out how to reach these stakeholders. Some bottom-up distribution examples — Gmail, iPhone. They went into the enterprise on warm intros by improving individual lives first. This is how many developer tools spread through organizations.

It’s hard to say without knowing the product. Perhaps top-down adoption is required for it to work. The high-touch services approach may be better in that case. Build the model then scale it.