Forbes 30 under 30 Selects Humimic Biosystems Cofounder, Alexis Applequist as an Honoree

Lexi Applequist, Cofounder of Humimic Biosystems, has been recognized as an honoree on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Science list.

Applequist learned of her inclusion when the list was published online in early December and shared her excitement about the recognition.

Reflecting on her journey, she said, "They get, I think, like, over 10,000 nominations. They go through and decide who looks like they could be a candidate. So I got a survey back in October that I filled out with more information about me. So I knew I was kind of on the short-ish list for it, and then I actually they don't notify any of the people on the list until it gets published."

Despite her success, Applequist acknowledged facing challenges due to her gender.

"Every once in a while, you'll get an investor, or I was doing a lot of pitch competitions, you'll have a judge, which is usually an investor, one of them overseas could not believe that I invented this stuff. He just didn't believe that my name deserved to be on the patent and that I had any part in it," she said.

However, Applequist remains undeterred, adding, "I don't need their money anyway, so I just kind of brush it off and move on."

For those following in her footsteps, she advised, "Science should all be a discussion and not a hierarchy. If you are in circles where your ideas are getting shot down constantly, and your mentors are always making you feel small, that is not where you need to be."

Her recognition highlights her leadership as a biotech founder and CEO and reflects the growing impact of Arkansas-based innovation on a national stage.

Click here to see her Forbes profile.