William Davidson Institute At The University of Michigan

About Us

Located at the University of Michigan, we are an independent, non-profit research and educational organization guided by our founding principle that thriving businesses drive economic development and improve social welfare in low- and middle-income countries.

Consulting

With deep expertise across multiple industry sectors and disciplines, we partner with profit-seeking firms and nonprofits to develop and apply proven business practices.

Training

Harnessing the latest innovations in education, we provide world-class management training opportunities for the global leaders of today and tomorrow.

SkySpecs: A New Horizon for Wind Energy

In celebration of Earth Day, check out WDI Publishing’s recent case study: "SkySpecs: A New Horizon for Wind Energy." Explore the challenges and triumphs of the wind energy industry, and witness how SkySpecs seeks to change the landscape by deploying drones to inspect wind farms. Students are asked to address the question: Should SkySpecs deepen its commitment to wind energy or expand its reach to new industries?

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Case Publishing

About Us

Consulting

With deep expertise across multiple industry sectors and disciplines, we partner with profit-seeking firms and nonprofits to develop and apply proven business practices.

Training

Harnessing the latest innovations in education, we provide world-class management training opportunities for the global leaders of today and tomorrow.

Ghana E-Bike CEO is the Next WDI Speaker

Please join us at 4 pm on April 3 for "How an E-Bike Startup is Looking to Change the Way Africa Moves," with Valerie Labi, co-founder and CEO of wahu! at Blau Colloquium, 5th floor of the Blau Building. Labi will discuss how the business is unlocking new possibilities in low-emission mobility solutions, particularly in urban markets. By locally designing and manufacturing connected EVs for Africa and the wider world, wahu!’s value proposition includes ease of transport, a path to vehicle ownership and a gateway to sustainable employment through mobility services. Attendees are encouraged to register and submit questions in advance. Light refreshments will be served.

About Us

Consulting

With deep expertise across multiple industry sectors and disciplines, we partner with profit-seeking firms and nonprofits to develop and apply proven business practices.

Training

Harnessing the latest innovations in education, we provide world-class management training opportunities for the global leaders of today and tomorrow.

22|23 Insights

Annual Report

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News & Views

From Rwanda to the Philippines, Student Projects Span the MAP
From Rwanda to the Philippines, Student Projects Span the MAP
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Each year, students join WDI in advancing the economic development of business in LMICs — and they develop their own skills as they do it. Since its founding in 1992, WDI has supported over 1,500 students through 257 MAPs. During the 2023–24 academic year, 49 students joined twelve MAP projects supported by WDI around the globe, from the Philippines to Rwanda to India.
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Connection, Identity and Race: From MBA to Author
Connection, Identity and Race: From MBA to Author
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
While pursuing her MBA at the University of Michigan in 2004, Patrice Gopo earned what turned out to be a life-changing grant from the William Davidson Institute. The WDI experience was critical in forging a new career, a family and a renewed sense of global connection.
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Preparing the Global EV Talent Pipeline
Preparing the Global EV Talent Pipeline
Thursday, March 21, 2024
As the world increasingly turns to electric mobility (e-mobility) for transportation – educational and training organizations have a crucial role to play. This challenge has been the recent focus of the William Davidson Institute’s Energy team in its partnership with the State of Chihuahua in Mexico, a region with an economy heavily linked to the automotive industry. The WDI Energy team presented a new report to partners in Ciudad Juárez in developing its own EV training programs.
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Dynamic Business Models focus of Clean Cooking Webinar
Dynamic Business Models focus of Clean Cooking Webinar
Monday, March 18, 2024
The discussion, "Front Burner: How Business Model Innovation is Driving the Clean Cooking Industry," will be hosted by the William Davidson Institute at University of Michigan (WDI), will feature panelists four trailblazing clean cooking companies with operations in multiple countries as well as a global trade group advancing the industry.
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About Us

Consulting

Training

SkySpecs: A New Horizon for Wind Energy

About Us

Consulting

Training

Ghana E-Bike CEO is the Next WDI Speaker

About Us

Consulting

Training

22|23 Insights

News & Views

From Rwanda to the Philippines, Student Projects Span the MAP

Connection, Identity and Race: From MBA to Author

Preparing the Global EV Talent Pipeline

Dynamic Business Models focus of Clean Cooking Webinar

Stay Informed