Category: Draper Innovation Index News

BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index U.S.States Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places to Launch a Startup Colorado, North Carolina, and Georgia Climb DII US Top 10Texas, Wyoming, and Arizona DropMissouri Breaks into DII US Top 20, Alaska Rises, North Dakota FallsCalifornia, New York, and Massachusetts SteadyOhio, Colorado, Delaware, and Wisconsin Post Largest GainsMontana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming See Largest Declines San Mateo, California – BizWorld announces the May 2026 update to the Draper Innovation Index U.S. (DII US), which evaluates each state’s innovation environment and entrepreneurship climate. Published monthly since 2021, the DII US provides the most well-rounded, up-to-date ranking of entrepreneurial locations, reflecting both traditional and emerging economic metrics, from taxes and regulations to venture capital investment, cryptocurrency friendliness, and blockchain investment trends. “As always, new business formation (or the lack thereof) was a major factor this month,” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “While states can’t directly create new entrepreneurs, one of the levers they can pull is the funding of entrepreneurial education. Young people have started some of the most iconic companies: think Steve Jobs and Apple, Walt Disney and his studio. The leading indicator of a state’s future economic competitiveness is the entrepreneurial mindset of its youth. Giving young people the tools and knowledge necessary to start their own businesses should be a priority for every state.  That is exactly the critical infrastructure BizWorld is building across the country – and globe.” Top Takeaways from the DII US April 2026 Update Key Risers: Colorado, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, DelawareKey Fallers: Wyoming, Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma “The shifting landscape of our DII US Top Ten proves that no state has a permanent monopoly on innovation. Entrepreneurs are highly mobile, and they will naturally migrate to the environments that offer the most opportunity,” said BizWorld Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “The states that are truly pulling ahead in our rankings are those embracing the future of finance, specifically cryptocurrency and blockchain. Colorado and Ohio are prime examples of how welcoming these new technologies attracts significant venture capital and drives economic momentum.” The DII US will continue to post monthly updates which can be accessed here. About BizWorld BizWorld.org is a global non-profit organization based in San Mateo, CA, whose mission is to equip future generations with entrepreneurial life skills to unlock their potential and create economic opportunity. Founded over 25 years ago by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, BizWorld.org programs teach students real-world 21st century skills and leadership that encourage them to become responsible leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. More than 850,000 students in more than 100 countries have participated in BizWorld programs. https://www.bizworld.org/

BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index U.S.States Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places to Launch a Startup Florida Retains Top Spot in DII US RankingsNew Hampshire Climbs into 2nd; Utah Slips to 3rdSouth Dakota and Arizona Rise in DII Top 10; Colorado and North Carolina FallCalifornia, New York, and Massachusetts See No ChangeMontana and Alaska Break into DII Top 20; North Dakota ImprovesArizona, Idaho, and Montana Post Largest GainsOklahoma, Ohio, and Nevada See Largest Declines San Mateo, California – BizWorld announces the April 2026 update to the Draper Innovation Index U.S. (DII US), which evaluates each state’s innovation environment and entrepreneurship climate. Published monthly since 2021, the DII US provides the most well-rounded, up-to-date ranking of entrepreneurial locations, reflecting both traditional and emerging economic metrics, from taxes and regulations to venture capital investment, cryptocurrency friendliness, and blockchain investment trends. “While traditional powerhouses like California, New York, and Massachusetts maintained their positions this month, they are no longer the default destinations for startups. The rapid rise of states like Idaho, Montana, and Arizona shows that innovation is truly becoming decentralized across the U.S.” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “In fact, Montana tied for this month’s largest jump. Montana’s impressive leap into the DII US Top 20 is a testament to the power of favorable tax policies. Entrepreneurs are actively migrating to states where their capital is respected, and Montana is clearly reaping those rewards.” Top Takeaways from the DII US April 2026 Update Key Risers: New Hampshire, South Dakota, Arizona, Idaho, MontanaKey Fallers: Utah, Colorado, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Nevada “The reshuffling we see in the Top 10, including South Dakota and Arizona’s rise, underscores how sensitive state rankings are to new business formation. Even with strong VC funding, a state must continue fostering grassroots entrepreneurship to stay competitive,” said BizWorld Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “The steep declines we saw this month in Oklahoma, Ohio, and Nevada serve as a cautionary tale. Without consistent new business formation and active adoption of emerging sectors like blockchain, states will quickly lose ground in the DII US.” The DII US will continue to post monthly updates which can be accessed here. About BizWorld BizWorld.org is a global non-profit organization based in San Mateo, CA, whose mission is to equip future generations with entrepreneurial life skills to unlock their potential and create economic opportunity. Founded over 25 years ago by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, BizWorld.org programs teach students real-world 21st century skills and leadership that encourage them to become responsible leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. More than 850,000 students in more than 100 countries have participated in BizWorld programs. https://www.bizworld.org/

BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index U.S.States Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places to Launch a Startup Texas Overtakes Wyoming for 4th, Utah Hangs Onto 2ndVirginia and Indiana Rise in DII US Top 20, Michigan and North Dakota SlipCalifornia and New York Decline; Massachusetts Remains SteadyOklahoma, Montana, and Ohio See Largest GainsIdaho, Kentucky, North Dakota, Maryland, and Kansas See Largest Drops San Mateo, California – BizWorld announces the March 2026 update to the Draper Innovation Index U.S. (DII US), which evaluates each state’s innovation environment and entrepreneurship climate. Published monthly since 2021, the DII US provides the most well-rounded, up-to-date ranking of entrepreneurial locations, reflecting both traditional and emerging economic metrics, from taxes and regulations to venture capital investment, cryptocurrency friendliness, and blockchain investment trends. “Entrepreneurship and innovation is the name of the game here at BizWorld,” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “While mega-metros in California and New York might have the highest raw number of legacy businesses, that doesn’t necessarily translate to a top spot on the DII US. Their continued slide to 31st and 49th respectively tells the real story. An unfriendly tax or regulatory environment doesn’t just offset economic advantages—it actively drives the next generation of innovators and venture capital out of state. The rise of Texas to the number four spot highlights another critical aspect. The states that are actively leaning into emerging technologies, specifically by fostering friendly environments for cryptocurrency and blockchain venture capital, are the ones future-proofing their economies.” Top Takeaways from the DII US March 2026 Update Key Risers: Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, Ohio,Key Fallers: California, New York, Idaho, Kentucky, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota “New Hampshire currently ranks third on the DII US despite ranking 40th in GDP and 42nd in population size,” said BizWorld Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “Why? It proves that policy outweighs sheer size. By maintaining one of the most business-friendly tax environments in the country—with no sales or income tax—New Hampshire punches far above its weight class in attracting top-tier entrepreneurs.” The DII US will continue to post monthly updates which can be accessed here. About BizWorld BizWorld.org is a global non-profit organization based in San Mateo, CA, whose mission is to equip future generations with entrepreneurial life skills to unlock their potential and create economic opportunity. Founded over 25 years ago by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, BizWorld.org programs teach students real-world 21st century skills and leadership that encourage them to become responsible leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. More than 850,000 students in more than 100 countries have participated in BizWorld programs. https://www.bizworld.org/

BizWorld Updates Monthly Draper Innovation Index U.S.States Compete to Land in Top Ten of Best Places to Launch a Startup Battle for the Top: Utah Jumps Over Wyoming to 2nd in DII USNevada Breaks Back into Top 10; Arizona Falls OutGeorgia Slips to 10thTennessee, Idaho, and Michigan Climb Top 20; Arizona, Virginia, and Indiana DeclineMassachusetts Slides Again, California 30th and New York 48thKentucky, Nevada, and Tennessee Tied for Largest GainsNew Mexico, Virginia, Montana, and Wisconsin Register Largest Drops San Mateo, California – BizWorld announces the February 2026 update to the Draper Innovation Index U.S. (DII US), which evaluates each state’s innovation environment and entrepreneurship climate. Published monthly since 2021, the DII US provides the most well-rounded, up-to-date ranking of entrepreneurial locations, reflecting both traditional and emerging economic metrics, from taxes and regulations to venture capital investment, cryptocurrency friendliness, and blockchain investment trends. “Don’t let the slight rebound in California and New York fool you. Rising one spot after plummeting seven is not a comeback; it’s statistical noise. Until these massive economies fix their tax structures and stop penalizing success, they will continue to bleed talent to hungry, agile states like Nevada,” said BizWorld Founder Tim Draper. “Nevada’s return to the Top 10 isn’t an accident; it’s a signal. While other states are regulating innovation into the ground, Nevada is embracing the decentralized future. The states that win in 2026 will be the ones that realize Bitcoin and blockchain aren’t just assets—they are the infrastructure of the next economy.” Top Takeaways from the DII US December 2025 Update Key Risers: Utah, Nevada, Tennessee, Kentucky, Idaho, MichiganKey Fallers: Wyoming, Arizona, Georgia, Virginia, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico “Three middle-sized state economies tied for the highest rise this month,” said BizWorld Chief Economic Advisor Dr. Wallace Walrod. “Nevada, Kentucky and Tennessee all rose by three places due to a combination of new business formation and venture capital investment outperformance. All three states have above-average Tax Environment and Small Business sub-scores, which provide a strong foundation for growth and means that these states could continue rising the DII US throughout 2026.” The DII US will continue to post monthly updates which can be accessed here. About BizWorld BizWorld.org is a global non-profit organization based in San Mateo, CA, whose mission is to equip future generations with entrepreneurial life skills to unlock their potential and create economic opportunity. Founded over 25 years ago by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, BizWorld.org programs teach students real-world 21st century skills and leadership that encourage them to become responsible leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. More than 850,000 students in more than 100 countries have participated in BizWorld programs. https://www.bizworld.org/