June 2026: 1.79% (A+ grade)

Idaho inventionINDEX June 2026: 1.79% (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).

Historical Idaho inventionINDEX Scores

The Idaho inventionINDEX score for the past 12 months is shown in the table below.

The Idaho inventionINDEX for June 2026 achieved a strong score of 1.79%, earning a top-tier A+ rating. This represents a notable improvement compared to the earlier months of 2026, which saw a period of relative stagnation. From January through March, the index hovered around the 1.31% mark with steady B ratings, before dipping to a low of 1.27% in April. The subsequent rebound in May to 1.47% and the surge in June demonstrate a powerful mid-year recovery, positioning the state’s innovation metrics well above the average performance observed over the last several quarters.

When evaluated against the broader 60-month historical horizon, the current score reflects a stable recovery rather than an absolute historical peak. The index experienced its most robust growth period during the summer of 2023, reaching an exceptional high of 4.29% in July 2023. Conversely, the historical data highlights a dramatic anomaly in June 2023, when the index plummeted to an all-time low of 0.11% with an F rating. The June 2026 performance confirms that Idaho has successfully distanced itself from those past vulnerabilities, maintaining a healthy baseline that aligns with successful historical periods like late 2024 and mid-2025.

Achieving a higher grade and score, such as the recent A+ rating, brings numerous positive economic outcomes to the region. An elevated inventionINDEX indicates a surge in entrepreneurial activity, robust research and development, and a higher volume of intellectual property generation. These factors foster an environment that attracts venture capital, encourages corporate investments, and draws skilled talent to the state. Ultimately, high innovation scores act as a leading indicator for long-term job creation and heightened regional competitiveness in the modern technology sector.

On the other hand, lower scores and declining grades carry serious negative implications for Idaho’s economic landscape. When the index drops toward the C or F thresholds, it signals potential stagnation in creative output, reduced funding for technological advancement, or bureaucratic hurdles blocking progress. A prolonged downward trend can erode investor confidence, cause a migration of talent to more innovative states, and result in a sluggish local economy. Monitoring these contractions allows policymakers and business leaders to identify structural issues before they translate into broader economic decline.

Discussion:

In June, the Idaho inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the downward trend for the year. This is similar 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 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.