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 Missouri inventionINDEX for March 2026 concludes at a robust 1.28 percent, securing an A+ rating and marking a definitive surge in the state’s innovation trajectory. This performance is particularly striking when contrasted with the beginning of the year, which saw a relatively tepid start at 1.03 percent in January followed by a modest recovery to 1.07 percent in February. This rapid escalation over the first quarter of 2026 indicates a potent renewal of creative output and research efficiency. By reaching the A+ tier, Missouri has successfully transitioned from a period of average growth into a high-performance phase, signaling a healthy and accelerating pipeline for new intellectual property.

When placed within the context of the last 60 months, the March 2026 score stands as one of the most successful periods in recent state history. It represents a substantial improvement over the 1.07 percent recorded in March 2025 and the 1.16 percent seen in March 2024. While it narrowly trails the five-year peak of 1.32 percent observed in March 2021 and August 2022, the 1.28 percent mark aligns Missouri with its most productive historical cycles. The data suggests that the state has successfully navigated past the stagnation seen in late 2022 and early 2023, where scores frequently dipped toward the 1.00 percent threshold, effectively repositioning itself as a regional leader in inventive activity.

The positive outcomes associated with a high inventionINDEX grade, particularly an A+, are multifaceted and extend deep into the state’s economic fabric. An elevated score often correlates with a heightened rate of patent applications, increased participation in federal research grants, and a more aggressive approach to venture capital funding for tech startups. These ratings serve as a beacon to global investors and industry leaders, highlighting Missouri as a fertile ground for technological disruption and industrial modernization. Furthermore, such high levels of productivity foster a culture of excellence that helps retain specialized talent within local universities and corporate research hubs, ensuring a sustainable cycle of high-value job creation.

Conversely, a lower index score or a descent into the C range carries concerning implications for the state’s competitive position. Ratings like the 1.03 percent recorded in January 2026 or the 0.99 percent seen in December 2022 suggest a cooling of the innovation ecosystem, where the pace of new discoveries fails to keep up with the broader economic baseline. The negative consequences of these valleys include a potential reduction in startup formation and a loss of momentum in the transition from academic research to commercialized products. By analyzing these fluctuations over a 60-month horizon, stakeholders can identify these periods of vulnerability and implement targeted policy measures to avoid the long-term stagnation that often accompanies lower-tier ratings.

Discussion:

In March, the Missouri 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 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.