New Hampshire inventionINDEX July 2026: 0.91% (C- 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 New Hampshire inventionINDEX Scores

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

The July 2026 New Hampshire inventionINDEX score stands at 0.91%, corresponding to a C- rating. This represents a sharp drop from the previous two months, where May and June 2026 both achieved A+ ratings with scores of 2.01% and 2.06%, respectively. Relative to the historical 60-month dataset—which reflects a mean score of approximately 1.56%—the July 2026 benchmark falls well below average. The sharp month-over-month decline highlights substantial short-term volatility in the region’s innovation metrics, contrasting a strong second quarter with a subdued start to the third quarter.

A broader review of the 60-month timeline reveals that the index frequently experiences cyclical swings rather than steady linear growth. Peak performance occurred in August 2023, when the index reached a high of 2.54% with an A+ rating, while other periods such as March 2024 (2.39%) and November 2021 (2.27%) also demonstrated exceptional strength. Conversely, low points have surfaced periodically, including January 2026 at 0.68% (D rating) and April 2026 at 0.86% (D+ rating). July 2026 sits near the lower quartile of the historical distribution, illustrating that while high-performing months are frequent, periods of contraction remain a recurring feature of the regional landscape.

Sustained lower scores and depressed ratings carry clear negative implications for the economic ecosystem. A lower index score typically points to a deceleration in patent activities, reduced research and development expenditure, and delayed product commercialization. When grades fall into the C or D range, potential investors may perceive increased risk, leading to tighter venture capital allocations and reduced institutional funding. For business leaders and policy makers, these periods signal potential bottlenecks in local talent acquisition, diminishing tech transfer pipeline volume, and an overall cooling in entrepreneurial momentum.

In contrast, higher scores and premium grades generate significant positive outcomes for New Hampshire. Achieving A-range ratings, as demonstrated during the robust stretches of mid-2023, early 2024, and mid-2026, signals elevated intellectual property production and vibrant startup activity. High index scores foster strong investor confidence, accelerate technology transfer from research institutions to market applications, and attract top-tier scientific and engineering talent to the state. Maintaining high scores reinforces New Hampshire’s position as a competitive innovation hub, driving high-wage job creation and resilient long-term economic prosperity.

Discussion:

In July, the New Hampshire inventionINDEX scored a negative sentiment which was lower than the previous year’s average and underperformed 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 New Hampshire office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Derry and Dover

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.

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