NEVADA INVENTIONINDEX | SEPTEMBER 2025

September 2025: 2.05% (B grade)

Nevada inventionINDEX September 2025: 2.05% (B grade)

The inventionINDEX measures innovation output by comparing GDP growth with patent production growth. 

Anything over C grade is positive sentiment; anything under C is negative outlook/sentiment. Using that sentiment, it is possible to observe trends over time, and also compare states/countries. In doing so, we can predict which states have the best chance to recover economically from the pandemic (or any other economic incident that may occur).

Nevada inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The Nevada inventionINDEX for September 2025 stands at 2.05%, earning a B grade. This marks a notable improvement when compared to the previous month’s 0.94% (C- grade) and also surpasses the 0.43% (D+ grade) recorded in September 2024. Observing the last 12 months, the current score is significantly higher than the average, indicating a positive shift in innovation output for the state.

A higher inventionINDEX score, particularly one resulting in a B grade or above, signifies robust innovation output. This positive sentiment suggests that the state’s economy is likely experiencing healthy growth in patent production relative to its GDP growth. Such an environment can attract further investment, foster new businesses, and create employment opportunities, contributing to overall economic resilience and prosperity. It reflects a dynamic ecosystem where research and development are thriving.

Conversely, a lower inventionINDEX score, especially those falling into the D or C- range, indicates a less favorable outlook. These scores suggest that innovation output is either stagnant or declining, potentially lagging behind economic growth. Such a trend can signal underlying challenges within the state’s innovation landscape, which might include reduced investment in R\&D, fewer patent applications, or a less conducive environment for technological advancement. These factors could impede long-term economic recovery and growth.

Analyzing the historical data, while there have been fluctuations, the September 2025 score represents a strong performance within the recent 60-month period. It suggests a potential upward trajectory in innovation, which, if sustained, could position Nevada favorably for future economic development. Continued monitoring of these trends will be crucial for understanding the state’s ongoing economic health and its capacity for innovation-driven growth.

Discussion:

In September, the Nevada inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the upward trend for the year. This is in contrast to the prior 12 months, which experienced a slight downward trend. 

As the economy continues to stabilize in the post-pandemic era, it remains uncertain whether any backlog of applications still exists or if the department has returned to normal processing timelines. The inventionINDEX could also be affected by lingering consequences from the pandemic, such as company closures, reduced workforces, and limited R&D capabilities, which may still be impacting current operations.

Learn More:

Are you thinking of patenting any of your bright ideas? Did you know your research work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please check out our free online eligibility test.

Swanson Reed’s Nevada office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Elko, Mesquite, and Boulder City.

Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of R&D tax specialists if you would like to learn more about R&D tax credit opportunities.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is the largest Specialist R&D tax credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D tax credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D tax credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years. 

Swanson Reed hosts daily free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/free-webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.