Solving for Business
Empowering entrepreneurs, enterprises, and ecosystems in emerging markets with the business tools to succeed and scale impact.
What we do
The William Davidson Institute is a solutions-driven non-profit affiliated with the University of Michigan.
We operate as allies to the change-makers—entrepreneurs, investors, governments, and academia—collaborating to drive pioneering solutions. We serve as a knowledge builder, enterprise accelerator and ecosystem catalyst.
Problems we solve
We tackle challenges that can transform lives and markets at scale focusing on:
Energy & E-mobility
Driving transitions to clean energy and
e-mobility solutions
Health
Supporting health innovation and strengthening health systems
WDI Academy
Developing leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals through business education
Impact Measurement
Reimagining how impact is defined, measured, and managed
Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange
A new eight-week virtual exchange certificate program that brings together undergraduate students from the United States, Ghana, and Mexico to design entrepreneurial solutions to climate challenges. This free, eight-week online certificate program connects peers across regions to explore civic challenges and co-create innovative business solutions.
Featured work
Our business-driven and systems-focused portfolio reflects the strength of our partnerships and interconnectedness of our work.
- Paper
- Report
In 2025, more than 45% of the global population made their home in cities, according to the UN’s World Urbanization Prospects. Nowhere is the impact of extreme heat more acute
- Webinar
