With Government guidelines still in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the monthly event for start-ups, which has been running since 2015, moved online with an impressive 93 new businesses represented.

Google have previously supported the Edge of the Box Club in person and took the opportunity to do so online via their Google Digital Garage with the focus of the event on ‘Getting your business visible on Google’.

The session was led by Google Digital Garage trainer Ashton John, who delivered a presentation before members of the Edge of the Box club took part in a live chat.

Chelsea Foundation employability and enterprise manager Carl Southwell said: ‘We wouldn’t be true to our philosophy of finding innovative ways to help start-ups if we didn’t convert the Edge of the Box Club online.

‘It was really great to see all of the start-ups interacting and asking questions as if it was a regular Edge of the Box Club.

‘The content was really valuable today for the all the start-ups and we will be continuing to provide the online version of the club for the foreseeable future so we support our start-up community.

‘Google Digital Garage have been a great partner to help make this happen and we look forward to sharing new content very soon’.

The Club is unique to Chelsea Football Club and helps people in the local and wider community start and build their own business, with 49 per cent of start-ups beginning to trade having completed the Chelsea Foundation incubator.

Mike Chandler, who took part in the online session, added: ‘For me it was invaluable.

‘I am battling to get off the ground in a business that has had to move completely online because of the lockdown, and I was really struggling to get an online marketing machine going.

‘The webinar taught me many important lessons on Google and how to access so many great and free tools to help optimise my reach through Google.’

Ronan Harris, Google UK and Ireland managing director, said: 'Now more than ever, having the right digital skills can have a transformative impact on business sustainability, growth and job creation.

‘By partnering with Chelsea Foundation’s Edge of the Box Club, to provide free live webinar training through the Digital Garage, we hope to inspire and upskill individuals and businesses throughout the UK, helping people to find a job or grow their skills from home.

‘Despite the ongoing uncertainty, we want to show how digital skills can help people and businesses restart and thrive.'

If you are a London-based early-stage start-up or accessing the New Enterprise Allowance then you may want to join our 10-day Chelsea FC Entrepreneur programme.

We also offer a week long Digital Skills programme to help set your business up online.

To find out more about these and Edge of the Box Club, email [email protected]