Nevada inventionINDEX September 2026: 2.56% (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 September 2026 Nevada inventionINDEX score of 2.56% with a B+ rating marks a significant upward surge, surpassing the August 2026 figure of 1.65% (C+) and the July 2026 reading of 1.34% (C+). Across the 60-month dataset spanning late 2021 through late 2026, the historical mean score rests at approximately 1.11%, placing the latest reading comfortably above the long-term benchmark. Aside from the multi-year peak of 3.85% (A+) registered in February 2024, the current September result stands as one of the highest individual evaluations in the dataset, contrasting sharply with historical troughs such as January 2022 when the index dipped to -0.06% (D-).

Securing a higher score and grade delivers critical benefits to the regional economic and intellectual landscape. Upper-tier ratings indicate robust patent activity, expanding enterprise formation, and accelerated technology commercialization across industries. Higher metrics strengthen investor confidence, attracting venture capital, corporate investments, and skilled talent to the region. Additionally, strong index performance provides tangible evidence to policy makers and institutional stakeholders that investments in research and innovation infrastructure are yielding meaningful economic returns.

On the other hand, depressed scores and lower ratings reflect distinct operational and strategic challenges. Declines into the C-minus or D ranges, as seen in periods like May 2023 (0.31%, D) or December 2022 (0.20%, D), typically signal slumping creative production, regulatory bottlenecks, or broader macroeconomic headwinds. Low index outputs can lead to reduced investor engagement, tightened capital allocation, and diminished competitive positioning relative to neighboring technological centers. Sustained low scores threaten to stall long-term economic growth if structural constraints remain unaddressed.

Analyzing the 60-month historical trajectory reveals clear cyclical volatility, yet the recent ascent in late 2026 suggests renewed organizational vigor and market alignment. Strategic leadership must capitalize on high-grade periods by locking in key investments and expanding collaborative networks to buffer against future downturns. By continually monitoring these historical movements and reinforcing supportive policy frameworks, Nevada can sustain its growth momentum and cultivate a resilient environment for ongoing innovation.

Discussion:

In September, the Nevada inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed the upward trend for the year. This is similar 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:

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.