According to collaborative research by iPiQ, an intellectual property consulting firm, and the Wall Street Journal , California still dominates when it comes to inventive cities – as defined by overall patents. Twelve of the “Top 20 Inventive Towns” are in California – topped by San Jose (3,867 in 2005). None were from Florida. In fact, the “closest” was Houston.
However, on a supplementary list of “Up & Comers” – where the criterion was a high percentage of patents given to individuals or small businesses – the Tampa Bay Area’s Palm Harbor (33) is represented. An accompanying comment referenced the town’s strong magnet school, Palm Harbor University High School, and proximity to Sensor Systems, which developed camera equipment for the Mars Rover.