June 2026: 1.71% (A+ grade)

South Carolina inventionINDEX June 2026: 1.71% (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 South Carolina inventionINDEX Scores

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

The South Carolina inventionINDEX for June 2026 stands strong at 1.71% with an A+ rating, reflecting a robust competitive position when viewed against historical data. This latest figure matches the score from March 2026 and marks a solid recovery from the April 2026 dip of 1.28%. Over the 60-month trajectory starting in June 2021 at 1.45%, the index has shown notable resilience. While it falls slightly below the historical peak of 1.93% achieved in September 2025, the current rating demonstrates that the state’s innovation ecosystem remains in a highly favorable tier compared to past low periods, such as the 1.06% baseline seen in July 2022.

Sustaining higher scores and elite grades like the recent A+ ratings yields several positive outcomes for South Carolina’s economic and technological sectors. An elevated inventionINDEX indicates an accelerating pace of patent activity, entrepreneurial growth, and research development. This high performance serves as a powerful signal to venture capitalists and corporate partners, showcasing the state as a fertile ground for high-tech investments. Furthermore, consistent top-tier marks boost local job creation in specialized industries and attract top talent to the state’s academic and industrial research hubs.

Conversely, periods characterized by lower scores and dipping grades, such as the C rating in October 2025 or the B- in April 2026, carry negative implications for long-term growth. A declining index suggests a slowdown in creative output, fewer regulatory approvals, or a contraction in capital allocation for new ideas. When the score drops significantly below the historical average, it can cause stakeholders to hesitate, potentially leading to a reduction in funding for foundational research. This stagnation risk allows competing regions to outpace the state, making it harder to retain local innovators who may seek more supportive environments elsewhere.

Examining the entire 60-month historical table reveals a cyclical yet upwardly mobile trend that highlights the overall maturation of the index. The frequent shift between moderate B-level grades and the premium A+ brackets highlights the dynamic nature of market shifts and innovation cycles. By maintaining an A+ average for most of early 2026, South Carolina demonstrates an enhanced ability to rebound quickly from temporary contractions. Navigating these fluctuations effectively ensures that the regional economy remains agile, turning historical benchmarks into a roadmap for sustained excellence in the global marketplace.

Discussion:

In June, the South Carolina 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 South Carolina office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Rock Hill, Greenville, Summerville, Sumter, Hilton Head Island and Spartanburg

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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