New Study Shows Where Montana Stands For Inventors

Are you an inventor, or maybe someone with an idea you have been sitting on? A new study suggests where you live might play a bigger role than you think when it comes to turning those ideas into something real.

According to WalletHub, innovation continues to be a major driver of economic growth in the United States. The country pours hundreds of billions of dollars each year into research and development. That’s what you have to do to help stay near the top globally for new ideas, technology, and business growth.

Some states are doing more of that heavy lifting than others. The report looked at all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using a range of factors like the number of STEM workers, research spending, and how many tech companies are operating in each area.

Source: WalletHub

Topping the list for innovation are places like the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, California, Colorado, and Washington. These states tend to have strong networks of universities, startups, and funding opportunities that help new ideas take off.

So where does Montana land? Big Sky Country came in at number 36 overall. It ranked 36th for workforce and talent, and 38th for its overall innovation environment. That might come as a surprise to some, especially with resources like Montana State University right here in Bozeman. The university has become a growing hub for research, startups, and technology development, offering tools and support for inventors looking to bring ideas to life. Maybe they polled research after the big news of the USPTO Community Engagement Office being placed in Bozeman. While Montana may not top the charts, there is still a foundation here for innovation to grow.