June 2026: 2.58% (A+ grade)

Kansas inventionINDEX June 2026: 2.58% (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 Kansas inventionINDEX Scores

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

The recent Kansas inventionINDEX score for June 2026 has reached an impressive peak of 2.58 percent, securing a top-tier A-plus rating. When evaluated against the historical data spanning the past 60 months, this score represents the absolute highest level of performance achieved during this entire period. The historical dataset demonstrates that the index typically hovers around a long-term average of approximately 1.67 percent, making the latest surge exceptionally notable. This standout figure follows a multi-month period of moderate stability in early 2026, where scores fluctuated between 1.23 percent and 1.61 percent, indicating a sudden and powerful acceleration in regional innovation activity as mid-year approached.

Achieving a higher grade on the inventionINDEX carries substantial positive outcomes for the regional economy and its entrepreneurial ecosystem. A peak score, such as the A-plus rating recorded in June 2026, signals a vibrant environment characterized by increased patent applications, robust technological breakthroughs, and heightened commercialization efforts. These high marks act as a powerful beacon for venture capitalists and outside investors who seek to fund high-growth enterprises in fertile territories. Furthermore, elevated scores often correlate with job creation in high-tech sectors, enhanced collaboration between academic research institutions and private industries, and an overall boost in regional competitiveness that positions the state as a leader in the modern knowledge economy.

Conversely, a lower score on the index introduces several negative implications that can hamper long-term economic progress. For instance, when the index dipped to 1.23 percent in March 2026 or reached its historical low of 1.05 percent in December 2021, it reflected periods of relative stagnation or contraction in creative outputs. Lower grades generally imply a reduction in research and development funding, a slowdown in new business formations, or a lack of supportive infrastructure for inventors. This downward trend can lead to a talent drain, as skilled researchers and entrepreneurs migrate to regions with more supportive ecosystems, ultimately eroding the area’s competitive edge and diminishing its economic resilience against market downturns.

Examining the broader 60-month trajectory reveals a cyclical pattern where the index frequently stabilizes within the B-minus to B-plus range before experiencing sharp shifts. Milestones such as the 2.32 percent recorded in October 2023 or the 2.24 percent in January 2023 demonstrate that while the region possesses the capacity for exceptional breakthroughs, maintaining that momentum requires continuous strategic investment. By studying these historical fluctuations, stakeholders can better anticipate economic shifts and implement policies that cushion against lower-scoring intervals. Ultimately, leveraging the insights from this historical dataset allows for a more proactive approach to nurturing sustainable innovation, ensuring that future performance mirrors the historic heights observed in the most recent data.

Discussion:

In June, the Kansas 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 Kansas office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Wichita, Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, Topeka, Lawrence, Shawnee, Manhattan, Lenexa and Salina

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.