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).

Missouri inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The February 2026 inventionINDEX score for Missouri stands at 1.07 percent, representing a modest recovery from the preceding month’s low of 1.03 percent. When viewed against the historical backdrop of the last five years, the current rating of B- marks a period of relative stabilization following the volatility experienced in late 2025. While the index has not yet returned to the peak performance levels observed in the summer of 2025 when scores reached as high as 1.30 percent, the recent uptick suggests a shift away from the lower C ratings toward a more favorable middle-ground performance. This slight upward trajectory indicates that the state is beginning to regain its footing after a brief dip in innovation metrics at the start of the year.

Examining the sixty-month horizon reveals a cyclical nature to the Missouri inventionINDEX, with notable peaks reaching 1.32 percent in early 2021 and mid-2022. The data indicates that the index frequently fluctuates between 1.00 and 1.30 percent, with the current 1.07 percent sitting just below the long-term historical average. Over the past year, the state has navigated significant shifts, moving from an A+ high in July 2025 to a more conservative range in early 2026. However, comparing the current score to the historical floors of 0.99 percent seen in July 2021 and December 2022 shows that Missouri remains well above its previous five-year troughs, maintaining a baseline of steady industrial and creative output.

Attaining higher grades such as A or A+ within the inventionINDEX signals a thriving ecosystem for intellectual property and technological advancement. When the score climbs toward the 1.30 percent threshold, it typically reflects an increase in high-quality patent filings, successful commercialization of new ideas, and robust investment in research and development. These elevated scores correlate with enhanced economic competitiveness, as they attract venture capital and specialized talent to the region. A high rating serves as a professional validation of the state’s educational and industrial infrastructure, suggesting that the environment is highly conducive to long-term economic growth through creative problem-solving and technical excellence.

Conversely, a decline in the score toward the C range or below suggests potential headwinds for the regional innovation landscape. Lower scores often point to a reduction in new patent applications or a stagnation in the development of proprietary technologies, which can lead to a loss of competitive advantage in the broader market. If the index remains consistently low, it may indicate that barriers to entry for inventors are increasing or that funding for critical research initiatives is being redirected to other regions. This loss of momentum can result in a talent drain, where skilled innovators seek more supportive environments, ultimately slowing the pace of industrial modernization and high-value job creation within the state.

Discussion:

In February, the Missouri 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 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 Missouri office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Kansas City, St Louis, Springfield, Columbia, Independence, Lees Summit, Ofallon, St Joseph, St Charles, and Blue Springs.

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.