April 2026: 13.74% (A+ grade)

Wyoming inventionINDEX April 2026: 13.74% (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).

Wyoming inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The April 2026 Wyoming inventionINDEX score has settled at 13.74 percent, maintaining its consistent A+ rating. While this figure represents a significant cooling off from the remarkably high 35.99 percent recorded in March 2026, it remains comfortably within the double-digit performance range that has defined much of the state’s recent output. When compared to the same period in 2025, where the index stood at 12.15 percent, the current data suggests a modest year-over-year expansion in innovative activity. This steady upward trajectory from the previous year’s baseline indicates that the state is sustaining a high level of creative and technical productivity despite the month-over-month volatility.

Looking across the sixty-month historical spectrum, the current score of 13.74 percent reflects a more matured innovation ecosystem than the one observed in the early 2020s. The index reached its absolute zenith in March 2025 at an extraordinary 51.89 percent, setting a daunting benchmark for future performance. In contrast, the state’s most challenging period occurred in July 2022, when the index plummeted to a negative 8.52 percent with an F rating. The transition from those severe fluctuations to a sustained period of high double-digit scores demonstrates that Wyoming has largely successfully shifted from erratic growth patterns toward a more reliable, albeit high-variance, leadership position in regional innovation.

Maintaining a high grade on the inventionINDEX, specifically the A+ rating that has become a staple for Wyoming, yields substantial economic rewards. High scores serve as a vital signal to venture capitalists and industrial stakeholders that the state provides a fertile environment for intellectual property development and technological breakthroughs. When the index remains in this upper echelon, it encourages the formation of high-tech startups and the expansion of existing research facilities, which ultimately drives high-value job creation. This elite standing helps the state compete on a national level, attracting global talent and ensuring that the local economy remains at the forefront of industrial modernization.

Conversely, any significant regression toward the lower ratings seen in the historical table carries serious negative implications for the state’s future prosperity. Previous instances of the index falling into the C or F categories, such as in September 2021 or April 2023, suggest periods of stagnation where the pipeline from ideation to market is effectively stalled. These lower scores can lead to a loss of investor confidence and a potential talent drain, as innovative professionals seek more stable environments for their ventures. It is therefore crucial to address the factors contributing to these occasional dips to ensure the state’s innovation infrastructure remains resilient and capable of supporting consistent, high-tier growth.

Discussion:

In April, the Wyoming inventionINDEX scored a positive 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 a considerable 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 Wyoming office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, and Rock Springs.

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.