OKLAHOMA INVENTIONINDEX | APRIL 2025

April 2025: 4.00% (A+ grade)

Oklahoma inventionINDEX April 2025: 4.00% (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).

Oklahoma inventionINDEX 6-Month Trend Analysis

The Oklahoma inventionINDEX score has shown a notable upward trajectory over the last six months, signaling a strengthening innovation climate. The index rose from 1.50% in November 2024 to 4.00% in April 2025, with consistent monthly gains, except for a small dip in December. This steady climb highlights growing momentum in technological development and intellectual property generation within the state.

A higher inventionINDEX score brings several positive outcomes. It typically correlates with increased patent filings, research breakthroughs, and venture capital interest. Higher scores also suggest that Oklahoma’s innovation ecosystem—comprising universities, startups, and research institutions—is becoming more dynamic and productive. This can attract federal funding and foster job creation in STEM sectors.

Conversely, if the score were to decline, it might reflect stagnation in R&D activity or barriers in the commercialization pipeline. A lower index can deter investment, limit competitive advantages for local businesses, and indicate weakening support systems for inventors. Sustaining or improving the current growth is essential for long-term economic diversification and competitiveness.

Overall, the consistent rise over six months is a promising indicator that Oklahoma’s innovation economy is gaining strength and resilience, setting a positive tone for the remainder of 2025.

Discussion:

In April, the Oklahoma inventionINDEX scored a positive sentiment which was higher than the previous year’s average and outperformed 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 Oklahoma office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Lawton, Edmond, Moore, Midwest City, Enid, and Stillwater.

Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of R&D tax specialists at a time that is convenient for you, 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.