Building Enduring EdTech District Partnerships: Perspectives from District Leaders & EdTech Solution Providers

In the eyes of district leaders, EdTech startups often pitch solutions without understanding the real problems schools face. And EdTech startups often cite lack of approachability and candidness from education leaders as a barrier to partnering. This dynamic panel pulls back the curtain on what enduring partnerships look and feel like. You''ll hear directly from both sides—district leaders and EdTech innovators—about how truly effective partnerships are built on listening, not selling. We’ll walk through what happens when startups start with curiosity: asking the right questions, co-designing pilots, and adjusting quickly to real educator feedback. Panelists will share candid lessons from their field on what worked, what didn’t, and how to foster mutual trust along the way. Attendees will hear from two longstanding superintendents who uniquely embrace EdTech partnerships; a passionate EdTech startup founder in the special education vertical; an innovative regional education director supporting 80,000 students across dozens of districts; and an "energizer bunny" EdTech executive delivering virtual staffing services with a focus on equity. If you’re building in EdTech and want to partner with districts in a meaningful way, this session will show you both the why *and* the how—with real stories, tactics, and frameworks you can use immediately.