WYOMING INVENTIONINDEX | DECEMBER 2025

December 2025: 28.04% (A+ grade)

Wyoming inventionINDEX December 2025: 28.04% (A+ 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).

Wyoming inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The Wyoming inventionINDEX concluded the most recent 60-month period with a robust performance, finishing December 2025 at 28.04% with an A+ rating. This figure represents a significant elevation compared to the early segments of the reporting period. Throughout 2025, the index displayed remarkable resilience and growth, reaching a peak of 51.89% in March. This modern level of achievement stands in sharp contrast to the more modest beginnings seen in late 2020 and early 2021, where the index frequently fluctuated between 1.02% and 12.15%. The transition toward consistently higher scores suggests a maturing innovation ecosystem that has successfully moved beyond the volatility of previous years.

A longitudinal review of the data reveals a transformative shift in the state’s economic and innovative indicators. In the earlier segments of the 60-month window, the index encountered several challenges, notably dropping to a low of -8.52% in July 2022 and -2.16% in February 2021, both of which resulted in F ratings. These periods of contraction highlight a historical vulnerability that appears to have been mitigated in the latter half of the timeframe. By comparing the frequent C and B+ ratings of 2021 and 2022 against the nearly uninterrupted A+ ratings seen throughout 2024 and 2025, it is evident that Wyoming has established a more stable and higher-performing baseline for its invention-led growth.

The attainment of higher grades, specifically the A+ ratings that have become prevalent in the recent two years, yields substantial positive outcomes for the regional economy. High scores indicate a thriving environment for intellectual property development, venture capital interest, and the successful commercialization of new technologies. When the index maintains levels above 20.00%, as seen in October 2025 (24.86%) and September 2025 (35.99%), it signals to stakeholders that the infrastructure supporting innovation is operating at peak efficiency. Such performance fosters job creation in high-value sectors and enhances the overall competitive posture of the state in a global marketplace.

Conversely, any regression to the lower scores seen in the past carries serious negative implications. A return to the C ratings of 1.02% or the failing grades recorded in previous years could suggest a stagnation in research and development or a lack of institutional support for new ventures. Lower scores often reflect a cooling of the entrepreneurial climate, which can lead to talent attrition and a reduction in external funding. To avoid the pitfalls of the -8.52% trough seen in 2022, it is essential to analyze the factors that drove the 51.89% surge in early 2025. Maintaining the current momentum is vital for ensuring long-term economic diversification and protecting the state from the cyclical downturns that characterized the earlier historical entries.

Discussion:

In December, the Wyoming inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the downward trend for the year. This is in contrast to the prior 12 months, which experienced a considerable upward 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 Wyoming office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, and Rock Springs.

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.