Erik Ibarra Bio
Stop Playing Defense: Creating Community Ownership in Response to Gentrification
Join Houston entrepreneur Erik Ibarra as he shares how his personal journey with displacement
(growing up in the East End neighborhood where his family was displaced and later
again as a young professional when his warehouse loft was demolished) led to the creation
of Magnolia Fund, a bold new model for community ownership in response to gentrification.
Discover how neighborhoods can stop playing defense and start building real wealth
for their residents.
Wednesday, October 29th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Register for October 29th
in C100 and via Zoom
Erik Ibarra
Erik Ibarra is a Houston-born entrepreneur and community builder with a 25-year track record of launching visionary ventures. From pioneering one of the first websites to host restaurant menus online in 2001 to creating REV Eco-Shuttle, Houston’s first all-electric rideshare service years before Uber and Lyft, Erik has consistently been ahead of the curve. His work in healthcare technology and lab testing positioned him as a leader in delivering critical COVID-19 results during the pandemic through his company ORDRS.
In 2023, Erik founded Magnolia Fund, a real estate fund designed to give everyday people a stake in the economic future of Houston’s East End, the neighborhood where he grew up. Magnolia Fund transforms redevelopment into opportunity, allowing residents to benefit directly from the growth happening in their community.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Erik serves on several boards—including Impact Hub Houston, the East End District, Hermann Park Conservancy, and Mason Park Conservancy—reflecting his deep commitment to civic leadership. A lifelong East End resident, he can often be found exploring the food, art, and music that make the neighborhood vibrant.