MAINE INVENTIONINDEX | OCTOBER 2025
October 2025: 0.88% (D+ grade)
Maine inventionINDEX October 2025: 0.88% (D+ 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).
Maine inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months
| Month | inventionINDEX Score |
| October 2025 | 0.88% |
| Sep 25 | 1.27% |
| Aug 25 | 1.21% |
| Jul 25 | 1.21% |
| Jun 25 | 0.76% |
| May 25 | 1.05% |
| Apr 25 | 1.21% |
| Mar 25 | 0.82% |
| Feb 25 | 0.82% |
| Jan 25 | 0.93% |
| Dec 24 | 0.71% |
| Nov 24 | 0.76% |
| Oct 24 | 0.93% |
The Maine inventionINDEX for October 2025 stands at 0.88%, earning a D+ grade. This marks a notable decrease from the previous month’s B+ grade of 1.27% in September 2025, and a return to the D+ grade observed in October 2024. Over the last 12 months, the index has fluctuated, with a peak of 1.27% in September 2025 and a low of 0.71% in December 2024 and September 2024. This latest score indicates a negative sentiment, falling below the C grade threshold, which signifies a positive outlook.
Historically, the Maine inventionINDEX has seen periods of strong performance. For instance, March 2024 and October 2023 both achieved an A+ grade with scores of 1.78% and 1.50% respectively. May 2023 also reached an A grade with 1.44%. These higher grades reflect periods of robust innovation output, where GDP growth outpaced patent production growth, suggesting a healthy and dynamic economic environment. Such positive sentiments are crucial for fostering economic recovery and growth, particularly in a post-pandemic landscape, as they indicate a strong foundation for future prosperity.
Conversely, lower inventionINDEX scores, such as the current D+ grade, signal a negative outlook. Scores below a C grade suggest that innovation output is not keeping pace with economic growth, which can have several negative implications. This could point to reduced research and development capabilities, company closures, or a shrinking workforce, all of which can hinder economic progress. Sustained periods of lower scores might indicate underlying economic challenges, making it more difficult for the state to recover from economic incidents and adapt to changing market conditions.
Analyzing the 60-month historical data reveals a pattern of variability, with the index experiencing both highs and lows. While there have been strong periods of innovation, the recent dip to a D+ grade in October 2025 suggests a need to monitor the factors influencing patent production and GDP growth in Maine. Understanding these trends and their underlying causes is essential for policymakers and businesses to implement strategies that encourage innovation and ensure sustained economic vitality.
Discussion:
In October, the Maine inventionINDEX scored a negative 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 slight 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 Maine office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland and Auburn.
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.
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What is the R&D Tax Credit?
The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
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