Oklahoma inventionINDEX July 2026: 3.70% (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 July 2026 reached 3.70% with an A+ rating, reflecting a strong position when compared to the broader historical dataset across the 61-month period. Over the full span from July 2021 to July 2026, the index averaged approximately 1.78%, placing the recent July figure significantly above historical norms and among the stronger monthly performances recorded. This current momentum builds directly on June 2026’s score of 3.12% and March 2026’s 2.82%, demonstrating a swift recovery from the spring dip in May 2026 when the index briefly slipped to 1.05% with a C rating. While current levels remain slightly below the historic peak of 4.29% recorded in both July 2025 and October 2025, the overall trajectory shows marked growth relative to earlier volatile points, such as June 2025 when the index dropped to its historic low of -2.33% with an F rating.

Examining multi-year patterns reveals a clear evolution from earlier economic volatility toward higher overall productivity. During late 2021 and early 2022, the index frequently languished in lower performance bands, marked by recurring F grades in October 2021, December 2021, January 2022, and July 2022. By contrast, the performance from 2024 through mid-2026 highlights a much higher concentration of top-tier marks, with A+ ratings appearing twelve times throughout the full timeline. The recent data shows that Oklahoma’s inventive activity has increasingly consolidated around upper-tier growth ranges, transitioning away from the low single-digit fractions seen in late 2021 toward consistent multi-percent expansions.

Securing a higher grade and elevated percentage score on the inventionINDEX yields substantial strategic and financial advantages for the state’s innovation ecosystem. Strong metrics signal to institutional investors, venture capital funds, and federal grant authorities that Oklahoma is actively generating valuable intellectual property and commercial opportunities. Top-tier marks like an A+ rating stimulate capital inflows, accelerate technology commercialization from research institutions to the market, and attract specialized talent seeking dynamic economic environments. Furthermore, robust ratings strengthen public and corporate confidence, encouraging sustained long-term investments in research infrastructure, workforce development, and new venture incubators.

Conversely, sustained declines or lower grades carry notable negative implications for regional economic vitality and growth. When the index drops into C, D, or F territories, it indicates stalled patent activity, slower commercialization pipelines, and potential capital migration to competing markets. Lower scores reduce investor enthusiasm, making early-stage start-ups less attractive to outside funding while increasing the risk of talent departure among skilled technical professionals. If prolonged, depressed scores can slow broader industrial diversification, leaving the regional economy less resilient to macroeconomic downturns.

Discussion:

In July, 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 similar to the prior 12 months, which experienced a considerable 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 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.

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