The Economic Impact of Science Startups: What the Data Shows

New analysis reveals how companies supported by The Innovation Space are driving job creation, capital investment, and long-term economic growth across Delaware, the Greater Philadelphia region, and the United States.

May 8, 2026

3–5 minutes

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Science startups drive measurable economic impact through job creation and capital investment.

Infrastructure plays a critical role in enabling early-stage company growth.

The largest share of impact occurs as companies scale beyond the incubator.

Economic benefits extend beyond startups through broader ecosystem effects.

AT A GLANCE (2025)

$704M

Total U.S. economic output

2,490

Jobs supported nationwide

$356M

Total economic output in Delaware

1,250

Jobs supported in Delaware

View the executive summary for a breakdown of these findings

View Summary

The Big Picture: Startup Job Creation and Economic Impact

Science-based startups do more than advance technology. They create jobs, attract investment, and contribute to long-term economic growth.

A recent analysis by Economic Systems Inc. (ESI) puts real numbers behind that impact, showing how companies supported by The Innovation Space contribute to job creation and economic activity across Delaware, the Greater Philadelphia region, and the United States.

In 2025 alone, these companies contributed to $703.9 million in total economic output across the United States and supported 2,490 jobs. In Delaware, that impact reached $356.1 million in output and 1,250 jobs.

Together, these numbers show how startup growth translates into broader economic activity over time.

The impact comes from several sources: operations and infrastructure investment, resident companies, post-incubation growth, and accelerator-supported firms.

Explore The Innovation Space’s Overall Impact

The economic impact analysis is one part of a broader story about how science startups grow and scale within The Innovation Space ecosystem.

Our annual Impact Report highlights startup milestones, capital raised, job creation, ecosystem partnerships, and long-term company growth across life sciences, clean technology, and advanced materials.

View Annual Impact Report →

How Innovation Translates into Economic Impact

Economic impact is created and sustained through multiple drivers:

Infrastructure and Investment

Lab space, equipment, and facility investment create the foundation for early-stage companies to operate and grow.

Access to shared infrastructure reduces upfront costs and enables founders to move faster without building labs from scratch.

Resident Companies

Startups working onsite contribute directly to job creation and economic activity as they build and scale.

These companies also benefit from proximity to shared resources, mentors, and ecosystem partners.

Post-Incubation Growth

The largest share of economic impact often occurs after companies leave the incubator.

As companies scale, hire, and expand operations, their contribution to regional economic growth continues to increase.

Accelerator Programs

Programs like Science Inc.™ extend impact beyond a single location by helping founders prepare for investment, partnerships, and commercialization.

These programs support startups nationally while strengthening the broader innovation ecosystem.

Learn more about our funding and programs

Why Infrastructure Matters for Startup Growth

For many science-based startups, infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to entry.

Building a lab, purchasing equipment, and maintaining compliant space requires significant upfront investment. Shared lab space and equipment reduce that burden, allowing founders to focus capital on product development, hiring, and validation instead of infrastructure costs.

This model helps companies move faster while reducing execution risk at the earliest stages.

The Multiplier Effect

The impact of startup growth extends well beyond the companies themselves.

Direct economic activity leads to additional effects across the broader economy, including supplier networks, service providers, and local spending.

In 2025, $299 million in direct output translated into $704 million in total national economic impact.

$299M

Direct Output

$704M

Total Economic Impact

2.4x

Multiplier Effect

A Growing Return on Investment

One of the most important findings is where the largest impact occurs.

Post-incubation companies account for the largest share of economic impact in Delaware and continue to grow over time.

This demonstrates how early-stage infrastructure and commercialization support create long-term economic value that compounds as companies scale.

For policymakers and funding partners, this reinforces the value of sustained investment in innovation infrastructure.

Why the Economic Impact of Startups Matters

For Founders

Access to infrastructure, equipment, and support accelerates the path from idea to company.

For Policy Makers

Investment in innovation infrastructure translates into job creation, tax revenue, and long-term economic growth.

For Investors & Partners

Strong startups attract capital, talent, and partnerships that drive innovation and returns.

For the Ecosystem

Startups strengthen regional competitiveness and create opportunities across industries and communities.

What’s Ahead

If current trends continue, companies supported through The Innovation Space are projected to support thousands of additional jobs and generate hundreds of millions in additional economic output by 2035.

Looking ahead, continued investment in infrastructure, partnerships, and commercialization support will play an important role in sustaining this growth.

“Innovation is one of the most effective ways we can grow our economy, create jobs, and improve lives for generations to come.”

— Governor Matt Meyer