CONNECTICUT INVENTIONINDEX | MAY 2025
May 2025: 0.99% (C- grade)
Connecticut inventionINDEX May 2025: 0.99% (C- 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).
Over the past 12 months, the Connecticut inventionINDEX Score has shown a moderate level of fluctuation, ending in May 2025 with a notably strong score of 0.99%. This marks one of the highest values recorded during this period, second only to December 2024’s peak of 1.00%. Compared to the same month last year—May 2024, which posted a 0.90%—the current figure represents a meaningful increase, suggesting renewed momentum in the state’s innovation output. This upward movement signals that recent policy shifts, R&D incentives, or institutional collaborations may be yielding measurable results.
The steady climb from a dip in November 2024 (0.82%) to the current high underscores a broader recovery in inventive activity. Low points like November can reflect a slowdown in patent filings, research funding delays, or diminished academic-commercial partnerships. However, the consistent rise since then, punctuated by stable months such as January (0.90%) and March (0.87%), supports a narrative of resilience and strategic correction. In this context, the 0.99% score for May 2025 is not just a statistical uptick—it is a cumulative outcome of sustained innovation-focused efforts.
A higher inventionINDEX Score generally correlates with increased patent activity, stronger university-industry engagement, and heightened investor interest in emerging technologies. This has positive implications for job creation, economic diversification, and the state’s national competitiveness. Stakeholders—from state policymakers to local entrepreneurs—can interpret the 0.99% figure as a sign of health in Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem. It may also serve to attract federal grants and private investment into technology transfer offices, research clusters, and startup accelerators across the state.
Conversely, a lower score—such as that observed in November 2024—can have compounding negative effects if not addressed promptly. A decline in inventive activity could hinder economic growth, diminish the state’s appeal to high-tech industries, and slow the pipeline of intellectual property that feeds entrepreneurship. Moreover, consistent underperformance may signal structural issues within research institutions or gaps in commercialization pathways. Therefore, while Connecticut’s recent score is encouraging, continuous monitoring and strategic investment are essential to maintain and build upon this momentum.
Discussion:
In May, the Connecticut inventionINDEX scored a negative 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 an 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 Connecticut office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Hartford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, New Britain, Bristo and Meriden.
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.
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