Link Between Patents And Technology Jobs

A recent study published by a California non-profit organization called Next 10 has once again demonstrated the links between patent registrations, investment and job creation.  The study titled “California Green Innovation Index 2009” is a comprehensive study that looks at current status and trends within California for energy usage, efficiency, economic, and environmental factors.  News on the study and the study itself are available at:
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2009/01/26/daily19.html
and
http://www.next10.org/

Some of the key findings of the study are that within California:
• green tech venture capital investment nearly doubled in 2008 over 2007 (and was 7 times higher than 2005 levels) and captured 57% of the national total for such investing;
• patent registrations for green technologies between 2002 and 2007 increased by 70% over a similar period during the 90’s and led all other states for these patent registrations; and
• job creation in green technologies has increased 10% since 2005 while the state average has only been 1% during this time.

This study is an important reminder that investing the time and resources in creating and securing new technologies can and does create jobs.