June 2026: 3.12% (A+ grade)

Oklahoma inventionINDEX June 2026: 3.12% (A+ 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 Oklahoma inventionINDEX Scores

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

The Oklahoma inventionINDEX for June 2026 stands at 3.12 percent, earning a top-tier A+ rating and representing a substantial recovery from the preceding month of May 2026, which posted a score of 1.05 percent and a C rating. When evaluated against the historical data spanning the last sixty months, this latest performance is exceptionally strong, far exceeding the historical average of approximately 1.76 percent. This score matches previous high-water marks such as July 2024 and May 2023, which also recorded 3.12 percent. By securing this elevated rating, the index demonstrates a resilient return to form after a period of mild deceleration in early 2026, positioning the state favorably compared to its historical performance.

A broader examination of the historical table reveals a dynamic trajectory with clear cyclical trends over the five-year period. The historical peak was achieved twice in 2025, specifically in July and October, reaching an impressive 4.29 percent with an A+ rating. Conversely, the index hit its absolute nadir in June 2025 at negative 2.33 percent, resulting in an F grade. Despite these sharp monthly fluctuations, the annual averages illustrate a positive long-term narrative, climbing from 1.28 percent in 2021 and 1.18 percent in 2022 to 1.84 percent in 2023, 1.90 percent in 2024, and peaking at 2.32 percent in 2025. This overarching growth trend indicates that Oklahoma has steadily fortified its underlying innovation infrastructure over time.

Achieving a higher grade on the inventionINDEX yields numerous positive outcomes for the regional economy and its stakeholders. A superior rating, such as an A or A+, indicates a robust environment for intellectual property generation, commercial enterprise, and technological advancement. These high scores build external confidence, making the state more attractive to venture capitalists, corporate investors, and highly skilled professionals seeking dynamic markets. Furthermore, elevated performance suggests successful collaboration between academic research institutions, private industries, and government initiatives, which ultimately drives job creation, economic diversification, and long-term prosperity across Oklahoma.

In contrast, a lower score or a downward shift in the index carries serious negative implications for the state’s economic health. Dropping to a lower grade, such as the C recorded in May 2026 or the F grades seen periodically in past years, signals potential bottlenecks in research funding, a slowdown in patent filings, or a lack of institutional support for emerging startups. Prolonged periods of low scores can lead to an economic slowdown, a loss of competitive advantage against neighboring states, and a brain drain as top-tier talent relocates to more innovative ecosystems. Therefore, monitoring these downward trends is essential for policymakers to implement corrective strategies before structural stagnation takes root.

Discussion:

In June, the Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Enid and Stillwater

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.