Key leader of Egyptian revolution rejoins Google in preparation for possible business venture

Former Google marketing exec Wael Ghonim, who was one of the key leaders of the Egyptian revolution, has rejoined Google as an entrepreneur-in-residence in Google Ventures as preparation for a possible new business venture, reports Fortune.

Ghonim realized the power of social media to mobilize protestors in Egypt, and was a strong voice for the power of peaceful protest and non-violent civil disobedience. He is best known for creating the We Are All Khaled Said Facebook page to draw attention to a young Egyptian tortured to death by the country’s police.

Following the successful removal of Hosni Mubarak and the former regime in Egypt, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people of 2011 … 

Google Ventures head Bill Maris says that Ghonim is taking the role in order to learn more about what makes businesses successful.

Maris said Ghonim reached out to him after the Egyptian revolution to ask about entrepreneurship and the venture business. Over a series of video conference calls and face-to-face meetings at Google during 2012 and early 2013, the two became friendly, and Maris invited to Ghonim to join Google Ventures.

“He isn’t a seasoned entrepreneur, so spending time with us and learning from the companies we have invested in and from the team itself, is a great way for him to get a head start,” Maris said. “If he started on his own he would be in a much worse place.”

Maris says that Ghonim may end up taking a permanent role within Google Ventures, starting his own company or joining an existing startup. If he launches his own business, it will certainly be one to watch.