June 2026: 2.05% (B grade)

Nevada inventionINDEX June 2026: 2.05% (B 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 Nevada inventionINDEX Scores

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

The Nevada inventionINDEX recorded a score of 2.05% with a B rating in June 2026, marking a substantial rebound from the preceding months. This latest figure represents a dramatic increase compared to May 2026, which sat at 0.94% with a C- rating, and April 2026, which bottomed out at 0.65% with a D+ rating. Over the course of the 60-month historical period, the index has experienced considerable fluctuations, making the current score particularly noteworthy as it sits well above the historical average of approximately 1.06%. This strong performance indicates a renewed momentum in the region’s innovation ecosystem, effectively reversing a multi-month downward trajectory that characterized the early portion of the year.

To put the June 2026 score into historical perspective, it is helpful to look at the broader peaks and troughs over the last five years. While the current 2.05% score is highly encouraging, it remains below the historical apex achieved in February 2024, when the index reached an outstanding 3.85% with an A+ rating. However, the current standing is vastly superior to the historic low of -0.06% and a D- rating witnessed in January 2022. The historical data demonstrates a pattern of cyclical volatility, where sharp spikes like those in July 2024 at 2.25% and March 2026 at 2.42% are often followed by brief contractions, emphasizing that the current B rating is a significant achievement within a highly variable environment.

Achieving a higher grade on the Nevada inventionINDEX yields several vital positive outcomes for the regional economy. A higher score reflects robust intellectual property development, an acceleration in patent applications, and elevated research activity across public and private sectors. These conditions cultivate an environment ripe for venture capital injection, as investors are naturally drawn to regions displaying strong technological progress. Furthermore, sustained high ratings encourage entrepreneurial growth, generate high-paying employment opportunities in science and technology fields, and enhance the overall economic resilience of the state by diversifying its industrial base.

Conversely, the negative implications of a lower score or a declining grade present serious challenges for the economic landscape. When the index drops into the D ranges, as seen in early 2022 and periodically throughout 2023 and 2024, it signals a stagnation in creative output and potential underfunding in research and development. Prolonged periods of low scores can lead to a reduction in market competitiveness, making it difficult to attract new tech enterprises or retain local talent. This intellectual drain can hamper long-term economic development, reinforcing the critical need for strategic support to prevent the index from sliding back toward historical lows.

Discussion:

In June, the Nevada inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the downward trend for the year. This is in contrast to the prior 12 months, which experienced an upward 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 Nevada office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas, Sparks, Carson City, Fernley, Elko, Mesquite and Boulder City

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:

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