Reports say Mass. most innovative state, R.I. not that far behind

BOSTON – Massachusetts may be the most innovative state, but Rhode Island is not too far behind.
Rhode Island ranked 13th on a list of the leading technology states from the Massachusetts Innovation Economy’s annual index, compiled by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and 14th on on the Bloomberg State Innovation Index.
Massachusetts ranked first on both lists.
On the Massachusetts Innovation Economy’s annual index, the Bay State was determined to be a leader in eight of the 11 sectors used to define an innovation economy, including percentage of a state’s workers employed in the innovation economy relative to the national percentage.
Second place was California, followed by Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut.
Massachusetts was highlighted for having the largest concentration of innovation economy employees, and being the home of many research institutions, biotechnology firms and software firms.
On the Bloomberg list, states were ranked on a 100-point scale, the higher, the better. Rhode Island’s score was 61.95.
Scores were based on six weighted metrics – R&D intensity, productivity, high-tech density, concentration of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) employment, science and engineering degree holders, and patent activity.
Breaking down the categories, Rhode Island’s results were as follows:

  • No. 3 for high-tech density
  • No. 15 for research and development intensity
  • No. 19 for the number of science and engineering degree holders
  • No. 24 for productivity
  • No. 24 for STEM concentration
  • No. 32 for patent activity

California, Washington, New Jersey and Connecticut rounded out the top five most innovative states on the Bloomberg list.
Massachusetts just barely edged California for the top spot, as its score was 93.33 and California’s was 93.30.
Massachusetts was second only to California in patent activity. The Bay State also was first in high-tech density.
Last on the list was Mississippi.

No posts to display