IDAHO INVENTIONINDEX | NOVEMBER 2025

November 2025: 1.28% (B- grade)

Idaho inventionINDEX November 2025: 1.28% (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).

Idaho inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The inventionINDEX Score over the last sixty months has demonstrated a wide volatility, ranging from a peak of 4.29 in July 2023 to a notable low of 0.11 in June 2023. The historical average for this half-decade period is approximately 1.76. In recent performance, however, the index has shown a distinct cooling trend. The most recent score of 1.28 for November 2025, which corresponds to a B- rating, stands below the five-year mean. This pattern is reinforced by the average score for the last twelve months, which sits at a more moderate 1.42. This suggests that while the system has a proven capacity for exceptional performance, the index is currently operating at a level below its long-term historical norm.

A high inventionINDEX Score, particularly one achieving an A or A+ rating like the record 4.29 seen in mid-2023, signifies a powerful and highly functional engine of innovation. Such a performance level indicates strong economic vitality, a fertile ground for novel ideas, and a rapid translation of research into marketable products or services. These peak scores are a profound positive signal to potential investors and businesses, suggesting a dynamic, high-growth environment with significant intellectual capital and a robust pipeline for future economic development. Consistently high grades foster public and private confidence, attract top-tier talent, and solidify the region’s reputation as a national leader in inventive capacity.

Conversely, a sustained period of lower scores and ratings, such as the B- and C+ grades more recently observed, or the exceptional dip to 0.11 with an F rating, carries cautionary and negative implications. A lower score suggests a potential stagnation in the creation or successful deployment of new inventions, which can slow the diversification and growth of the economy. If the index remains consistently below the historical average of 1.76, it could signal reduced economic competitiveness, a slowing in the pace of innovation, or administrative and systemic barriers hindering the process from idea to market. These trends may warrant a critical review of local policies, funding for research and development, and the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem to prevent a long-term erosion of the inventive advantage and economic potential.

The historical data, therefore, presents a mixed picture, confirming a capacity for extremely high performance but also demonstrating a recent moderation toward the lower end of the historical spectrum. The strategic objective for policymakers and economic stakeholders should be to reverse the current trend and consistently achieve scores that align with the high-water marks of the past, ideally sustained in the ‘A’ range. Maintaining a strong inventionINDEX Score is a critical measure of economic health that secures future prosperity, creates high-value jobs, and ensures continued prominence in the national innovation landscape. A concerted effort to push performance back above the long-term mean will be essential for realizing the full inventive potential of the region.

Discussion:

In November, the Idaho inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was lower than the previous year’s average and underperformed the downward trend for the year. This is similar to the prior 12 months, which experienced a 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 Idaho office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls and Pocatello.

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.