MARYLAND INVENTIONINDEX | JUNE 2025
June 2025: 1.16% (B grade)
Maryland inventionINDEX June 2025: 1.16% (B 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).
| Month | inventionINDEX Score |
| June 2025 | 1.16% |
| May 25 | 1.20% |
| Apr 25 | 1.42% |
| Mar 25 | 1.04% |
| Feb 25 | 1.25% |
| Jan 25 | 1.24% |
| Dec 24 | 1.31% |
| Nov 24 | 1.17% |
| Oct 24 | 1.39% |
| Sep 24 | 1.22% |
| Aug 24 | 1.18% |
| Jul 24 | 1.29% |
| Jun 24 | 1.18% |
Over the past twelve months, Maryland’s inventionINDEX Score has shown moderate fluctuations, with June 2025 recording a 1.16%. While this figure is slightly below May’s 1.20% and notably down from April’s peak of 1.42%, it remains within a stable range when viewed over the annual span. This slight dip in June follows a broader pattern seen throughout the year, where short-term gains are often followed by minor corrections, suggesting a cyclical nature in innovation activity.
The high point of April 2025 at 1.42% reflects a period of increased inventive activity, likely driven by heightened R&D investments, university-led research output, or patent filings from private enterprises. A stronger inventionINDEX typically signals a more dynamic innovation ecosystem. For Maryland, such spikes are beneficial for attracting venture capital, incentivizing tech startups, and encouraging institutional collaborations. It also positions the state favorably in federal and private funding opportunities for innovation-driven projects.
Conversely, the gradual decline from April to June, while not alarming, may warrant closer observation. A drop in the score could indicate a temporary slowdown in patent grants or reduced activity in core innovation sectors. If this trend continues, it may suggest a need for policy recalibration or increased support for local inventors and entrepreneurs. Persistent low scores could weaken Maryland’s competitive edge in securing research partnerships and diminish its visibility in the national innovation landscape.
Overall, Maryland’s inventionINDEX remains healthy, anchored by a consistent pattern of scores above 1.00% throughout the year. The state appears resilient, balancing periods of acceleration with brief plateaus. Maintaining this trajectory will depend on sustaining investment in R&D infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and aligning education with high-tech industry needs. This stability reflects a mature innovation environment, capable of long-term growth if carefully supported.
Discussion:
In June, the Maryland inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was lower than the previous year’s average and underperformed the downward trend for the year. This is similar 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 Maryland office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Baltimore, Frederick, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Bowie, Hagerstown, Annapolis, College Park, Salisbury and Laurel.
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.
