WISCONSIN INVENTIONINDEX | NOVEMBER 2025

November 2025: 1.54% (A grade)

Wisconsin inventionINDEX November 2025: 1.54% (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).

Wisconsin inventionINDEX Scores – Last 12 months

The Wisconsin inventionINDEX score for November 2025 stands at 1.54%, earning a solid A rating. This performance marks a notable recovery from the preceding month of October 2025, which saw a dip to 1.24% and a B rating. When compared to the same period in 2024, the index has shown a year-over-year improvement of approximately 19% from the 1.29% recorded then. While the current score is below the historical high of 3.69% observed in May 2023, it aligns closely with the five-year median of 1.57%, suggesting that the state’s innovation environment is operating at a healthy and sustainable level.

The prevalence of high grades, specifically the A and A+ ratings which constitute over half of the 60-month data set, reflects a robust and productive climate for intellectual property development. A higher grade in the Wisconsin inventionINDEX typically indicates an environment where research and development are flourishing, often correlating with increased investor confidence and a surge in new patent filings. These peak periods signal that the state is successfully leveraging its technological resources and talent pool to maintain a competitive edge. High scores provide a foundation for long-term economic growth, ensuring that the local ecosystem remains a fertile ground for entrepreneurs and established firms alike.

On the other hand, lower scores and grades such as C or the rare F ratings seen in 2022 and 2023 highlight significant challenges within the innovation pipeline. The negative scores of -0.56% in July 2022 and -0.53% in June 2023 represent historical floor levels where inventive activity faced substantial headwinds, likely due to economic volatility or restricted access to capital. A lower grade can imply a period of stagnation, where new projects may be delayed or stalled, potentially leading to a loss of momentum in the regional market. These dips serve as critical indicators for stakeholders that the innovation infrastructure may require targeted support or policy adjustments to regain its footing.

A comprehensive look at the 60-month trajectory reveals an index that is both resilient and dynamic. Despite the periodic volatility observed between 2021 and 2023, the trend throughout 2024 and 2025 has stabilized within the A range, suggesting a more consistent phase of growth. The steady recovery from the October 2025 dip into the current November score demonstrates the ecosystem’s ability to correct itself and move toward a more favorable rating. Maintaining this upward momentum will be essential for Wisconsin as it navigates the complexities of the modern economic landscape and seeks to secure its position as a center for continuous invention.

Discussion:

In November, the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Waukesha, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, and Janesville.

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.