June 2026: 1.03% (C grade)

West Virginia inventionINDEX June 2026: 1.03% (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 West Virginia inventionINDEX Scores

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

The West Virginia inventionINDEX score for June 2026 stands at 1.03 percent, receiving a C rating. This mark represents a modest recovery from the previous month of May 2026, which saw a dip to 0.83 percent and a D plus rating. However, looking back at the earlier months of 2026, the current figure indicates a pullback from the strong performance seen in February and March, when the index climbed to 1.87 percent and 1.66 percent respectively, achieving consecutive A plus ratings. When compared against the broader historical data, the June 2026 score sits just below the overall historical average of approximately 1.19 percent, suggesting that while the state has moved away from its recent low points, it remains in a phase of baseline stabilization rather than rapid expansion.

Taking a broader view of the historical table over the past 60 months reveals a cyclical pattern of performance marked by distinct peaks and valleys. The highest point recorded in this timeframe occurred in July 2022, when the index reached a peak of 2.91 percent with an A plus rating. Conversely, the index has occasionally dropped to its historical floor of 0.41 percent, resulting in an F rating during July 2021, April 2022, and May 2025. It is notable that a C rating is the most frequent baseline for West Virginia, appearing 19 times throughout the data set. This indicates that while the state frequently demonstrates the capacity for high-performing spikes, it routinely reverts to this mid-tier level of innovation activity.

Achieving a higher grade on the inventionINDEX yields substantial positive outcomes for West Virginia’s economic and intellectual landscape. When the score rises into the A range, it signals a thriving ecosystem characterized by increased patent applications, heightened entrepreneurial activity, and robust research and development. These elevated marks serve as a powerful mechanism to attract venture capital, tech-driven businesses, and high-skilled talent to the region. A stronger grade demonstrates that local infrastructure, academic institutions, and private enterprises are effectively aligned, creating a fertile ground for commercializing new technologies and driving sustainable economic growth.

On the other hand, a lower index score carries negative implications that can hamper long-term regional development. When the state registers ratings in the D or F categories, it often points to a deceleration in creative output, limited funding for new ventures, or a lack of institutional support for inventors. Persistent low scores can lead to capital flight, where local innovations move out of state to find better funding resources, and a brain drain of skilled researchers seeking more supportive environments. Failing to maintain a competitive index rating can ultimately weaken West Virginia’s position in the national innovation economy, underscoring the vital importance of consistent investment in research, development, and entrepreneurial resources.

Discussion:

In June, the West Virginia inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was lower than the previous year’s average and underperformed the upward trend for the year. This is in contrast 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 West Virginia office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg and Wheeling

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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