June 2025: 0.88% (D+ grade)

New York inventionINDEX June 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).

New York’s inventionINDEX score for June 2025 settled at 0.88%, reflecting a slight decrease from the 0.90% recorded in May. While this drop is minor, it marks a continued trend of fluctuating innovation activity across the state. Compared to the recent peak of 1.09% seen in both January and April 2025, June’s figure suggests a softening in patent filings or inventive output, signaling a need to monitor momentum more closely in upcoming months.

Despite the recent dip, the long-term view remains balanced. Over the past 12 months, New York’s scores have generally stayed within a narrow band between 0.85% and 1.24%, with October 2024 being the most productive month. These steady scores reflect consistent, if modest, innovation activity. June’s 0.88% remains above the lowest point recorded in November 2024 (0.85%) and aligns closely with the state’s mid-range performance, suggesting that while growth has slowed, it has not stalled entirely.

Higher inventionINDEX scores typically reflect a surge in patent filings, signaling increased research investment, commercial innovation, and technological development. For New York, a higher score often translates into stronger economic potential, more competitive industries, and increased attractiveness for R&D partnerships. These outcomes can fuel job creation, attract federal funding, and elevate the state’s profile in emerging technology sectors.

Conversely, a lower score-especially if sustained over several months-can indicate stagnation in research or diminished commercial output. It may point to reduced private sector investment or challenges in the state’s innovation pipeline. If the current trend continues downward, stakeholders may need to reassess incentives for innovation and address potential barriers affecting inventors, startups, or academic institutions within New York.

Discussion:

In June, the New York inventionINDEX scored a negative 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 New York office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse, Albany, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Schenectady, Utica, White Plains, Troy, Niagara Falls, Binghamton, Rome, Long Beach, Poughkeepsie, North Tonawanda, Jamestown and Ithaca.

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