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).

Maine inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The Maine inventionINDEX for February 2026 stands at 1.10 percent, earning a C+ rating. This reflects a steady and notable improvement over the start of the year and the final months of 2025. In January 2026, the score was 0.99 percent, while December and November 2025 both saw figures below 0.95 percent. This three-month upward trend suggests a strengthening in the state inventive output and economic health as it moves away from the D+ ratings that characterized much of the previous quarter.

When viewed against the five-year historical backdrop, the current score represents a stable recovery rather than an all-time peak. The index reached its highest point in March 2024 with a score of 1.78 percent and an A+ rating. Conversely, the data shows several periods of significant struggle, such as in late 2021 and early 2023, when scores dipped as low as 0.65 percent. By maintaining a 1.10 percent rating, Maine is performing better than its historical lows but remains below the robust innovation levels seen during the high-growth periods of 2023 and 2024.

Achieving higher grades within this index brings several positive outcomes for the regional economy. A movement toward the B or A range typically signals increased patent filings, higher levels of research and development investment, and a more vibrant environment for startups. These higher scores often correlate with a more competitive workforce and the ability to attract venture capital, as investors look for regions demonstrating consistent growth in intellectual property and technological advancement. A strong inventionINDEX score serves as a leading indicator of long-term economic prosperity and industrial modernization.

On the other hand, falling into the D or F categories carries serious negative implications. Lower scores, such as the 0.71 percent seen in July 2022 or the 0.65 percent in September 2023, often point to a stagnation in creative output or a lack of resources for local innovators. If the score remains consistently low, Maine risks losing its competitive edge to neighboring states, potentially leading to a talent drain where inventors seek opportunities in more active markets. Maintaining the current momentum is essential to ensure that the state does not slide back into the lower performance tiers that hampered growth in previous years.

Discussion:

In February, the Maine 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 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 Maine office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland and Auburn.

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.