Innovation Station

Texas maintains its place among 15 most innovative states in the U.S.

Austin Texas State Capitol and Skyline Aerial Drone Image

Texas ranks just outside of the top 10 most innovative states.

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During a SXSW reception March 12 at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott hailed Texas as the No. 1 state for innovation. Personal finance website WalletHub sees it a little differently though.

In a new study from WalletHub, the Most & Least Innovative States (2026), Texas is assigned the No. 13 ranking for innovation among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

D.C. comes out on top, followed by Massachusetts, California, Colorado, and Washington. Mississippi appears at the bottom of the list.

Texas earns a total innovation score of 49.56, compared with 69.13 for top-ranked D.C. In two broad categories, Texas ranks 12th for human capital and 13th for innovation environment.

To identify the top places for innovation, WalletHub evaluated the 50 states and D.C. by reviewing 25 key indicators of innovation friendliness. The indicators include:

Share of STEM professionals
Forecast for Share of STEM professionals
Forecast for STEM jobs
Eighth-grade math and science performance
Concentration of tech companies
R&D spending per capita
Share of science and engineering graduates age 25 and over
Average internet speed
Venture capital funding per capita

“The most innovative states are especially attractive to people who have majored in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, as they offer abundant career opportunities and investment dollars, both for jobs at existing companies and for startups,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.

“These states also instill young students with the skills they need to succeed in the current workforce, skills which are useful whether or not they pursue a STEM career,” he added.

Texas held steady in the 2026 report, receiving the same ranking as in 2025 (at No. 13), but improving its overall score slightly, up from 48.96. In 2024, Texas was ranked No. 14 in the U.S., marking its first appearance within the top 15 most innovative states. In recent years, Texas has consistently moved up the ladder among most innovative states.

Texas zeroes in on semiconductor industry
On the innovation front, Abbott and other state leaders have focused intently on growing the state’s semiconductor industry, which generates roughly $30 to $60 billion in economic activity per year. Texas ranks among the top states for semiconductor manufacturing, with major operations in North Texas and Central Texas.

To bolster the industry, Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act into law in 2023. The law established the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund, which issues grants for semiconductor research, design and manufacturing, and the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, which advises the governor and state legislators on matters related to the semiconductor sector.

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This article originally appeared on our sister site, InnovationMap.com.

texas wallethub rankings innovation

In the spotlight

8 Dallas entrepreneurs featured on prestigious Inc. Female Founder 500

Courtesy photo

Addison LaBonte, Sweet Addison's.

Eight Dallas-area female entrepreneurs have been honored on Inc.'s prestigious Female Founders 500 list for 2026.

The annual list compiled by Inc. Magazine recognizes female founders based in the U.S. who have built businesses that have moved their industries forward. The group collectively generated approximately $12.3 billion in 2025 revenue and $12.2 billion in funding to date, according to Inc.

"Each year, we are increasingly amazed by the extraordinary leaders on our Inc. Female Founders 500 list," Bonny Ghosh, editorial director, said. "The honorees on this year's list include innovators in AI, beauty and wellness trendsetters winning devoted fans, and nonprofit leaders making a real impact in their communities. Together, they're showing all of us what trailblazing female leadership looks like."

Below are the Dallas-area founders that made the 2026 list, and why they were selected by Inc.:

Addison LaBonte, Sweet Addison's: "For driving growth for the gluten-free baking company through new product launches and collaborations, scaling production, and retail partnerships to meet national demand."

Amber Capone, Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions: "For pioneering policy changes that promote the study of psychedelic therapies for veterans with service-related mental health conditions."

Amber Venz, BoxLTKSoftware: "For rebuilding the company's app into a creator-led social platform with new features, AI capabilities, and engagement tools."

Dani Austin, Divi Official: "For leading the hair and scalp care brand's growth through the launch of new products."

Daryl Ann Denner, nuuds: "For strengthening company culture and community engagement at the DTC apparel brand by prioritizing authenticity and customer-driven product development."

Robyn Gray, Gray Fit Training & Recovery: "For providing the athletic training that helped seven Texas volleyball teams reach the nationals."

Kelly Winget, Alternative Wealth Partners (Southlake): "For growing a boutique private equity firm into a holistic, full-service wealth management platform."

Suran Yoo, Silk or Lace (Plano): "For scaling the wig company's platform to better serve buyers and sellers, automating intake and payout while adding new customer features."

In total, 29 Texas female founders have been named to the 2026 list. They include Austin jewelry mogul Kendra Scott and Texas Space Commission board member Sassie Duggleby.

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A version of this story first appeared on our sister site, InnovationMap.com.