OKLAHOMA INVENTIONINDEX | JANUARY 2026

January 2026: 1.35% (C+ grade)

Oklahoma inventionINDEX January 2026: 1.35% (C+ 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 Scores – Last 12 months

The Oklahoma inventionINDEX for January 2026 stands at 1.35%, resulting in a C+ rating. This performance marks a notable deceleration from the robust activity observed during the final quarter of 2025. In October and November of that year, the index reached impressive heights of 4.29% and 3.26% respectively, both achieving A+ ratings. The current shift suggests a cooling period following a surge in inventive output, transitioning the state from a phase of exceptional growth to a more moderate pace of development as the new year begins.

Looking at the broader sixty-month horizon, the January 2026 score aligns closely with the long-term median, though it remains significantly below the historic peaks. Over the last five years, the index has experienced considerable volatility, ranging from a low of -2.33% in June 2025 to repeated highs of 4.29% in July and October 2025. The current rating of C+ is consistent with performance levels seen in early 2025 and late 2023. This indicates that while the state has moved away from its peak potential, it remains well above the rare instances of negative growth or stagnation recorded in mid-2022 and late 2021.

Higher inventionINDEX scores, such as the A and A+ ratings achieved intermittently throughout 2024 and 2025, signal a flourishing ecosystem for intellectual property and technological advancement. These elevated grades typically correlate with increased venture capital interest, a higher volume of patent filings, and a general atmosphere of industrial modernization. When Oklahoma sustains these high scores, it positions itself as a competitive hub for talent and investment, fostering an environment where research and development can translate into tangible economic benefits and high-quality job creation across the state.

Conversely, a decline in the index toward C or D ratings reflects a potential slowdown in the commercialization of new ideas and a possible contraction in creative output. Lower scores often imply that the momentum of innovation is stalling, which can lead to reduced competitiveness in the regional market and a more cautious approach from stakeholders. While the current C+ rating does not represent a systemic failure, it highlights the importance of maintaining the state’s innovation infrastructure to prevent further slippage into the F ratings observed during outlier months. Steady upward movement is essential for ensuring that Oklahoma continues to progress relative to its technological peers.

Discussion:

In January, the Oklahoma 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 an 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 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 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.