Admission Information
No.26
Kitafuku Co., Ltd.
Upcycling malt lees, which is discarded during the beer making process, into recycled paper

We are looking for colleagues who will accelerate the growth of the craft beer paper business together!

As a beer lover, what if I could use every bit of malt lees that is discarded during the beer making process?That was the starting point for CRAFT BEER PAPER.

Brewing craft beer requires a large amount of malt.Approximately 2,000 kg of malt lees can be produced in one month of brewing, and most of it is discarded.
“Can we make use of this discarded malt lees?”
Craft beer paper is a recycled paper born from this idea.
Craft beer paper is a craft paper made by mixing malt lees from the craft beer brewing process into paper.
Through craft beer paper, we are working with breweries that can provide malt lees to expand a new upcycling system in which waste malt lees is reborn into valuable products.

project overview

General sales of craft beer paper began in June 2021.We are growing our business through daily trial and error, such as using our products as menu boards and coasters in restaurants and other shops, and developing products such as postcards and business cards.
This product has been adopted for the product packaging of retort curry, a collaboration between Yokohama Beer and MUJI that has been on sale since last year, and is attracting attention as an example of open innovation.
Collaboration with the local community is also progressing, such as being incorporated into class programs at elementary, junior high, and high schools.
In addition to developing new products, we also carry out a series of business operations such as public relations, opening stores at events, expanding suppliers, developing business partners, and accepting orders. The number of inquiries from customers has been increasing, and I feel that we have reached a turning point in our business growth.
We are looking for applications from people who would like to work with us on a variety of daily tasks while enjoying the immersive experience of a startup's growth process.
We welcome applications from anyone who wants to try out their own ideas!

Admission Information

Recruitment target University and graduate students (all years)
Spaces 2 people
period August to September 2024 (8 months) *Extension possible by mutual agreement
Theme Sustainable/business creation
Job category Planning/Marketing/PR/Public Relations/Design
Activity support money Only transportation expenses will be paid at actual cost. *In case of extension of the period, it will be decided after consultation.
Our Projects
    • ◆Planning, development, and sales of new products
    •  Planning, development, and sales of paper products using craft beer paper
    • ◆Market research
    •  Customer interview
    • ◆Public relations activities
    •  Public relations activities using SNS
    •  Lectures and support activities for comprehensive research subjects for junior high and high school students
Expected results
  • ・Have the students actually make and sell one paper product.
  • ・You will realize the importance of activities that lead to sales from a long-term perspective rather than a short-term perspective.
experience gained
  • ・Experience in creating and selling new businesses and products
  • ・Experience in verifying market research hypotheses and setting the next hypothesis
  • ・Experience of changing from the side of being taught to the side of teaching
Target person
  • ◆Those who are interested in starting a small business
  • ◆People who are interested in solving social issues through the power of business
  • ◆Basic PC skills (replying to PC emails, inputting into Google spreadsheets, etc.)
Activity conditions Ability to participate in regular meetings and activities and carry out assigned tasks.
*Please decide the time etc. after consultation.
Place of activity
  • ◆3-7-1 Ocean Gate Minatomirai XNUMXth floor, Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama
  • Kanagawa Prefecture SHIN Minatomirai (WeWork Ocean Gate Minatomirai)
  • *We will use a combination of coming to the office and remote (ZOOM, etc.).

we are such a team

The company name, kitafuku, is based on the idea of ​​valuing Hokkaido and Fukuoka, where the two managers are from, and their desire to solve problems in the Yokohama area where they currently live. I named it kitafuku after fuku.
 There are many people, including the breweries who provide us with malt lees and use them in menus and coasters, the paper wholesale companies who are working on paper development, and the startup managers at SHIN Minato Mirai who are working hard every day. I have been able to create my business with the help of
I hope that many people will continue to participate in this upcycling system without even knowing it, and that it will naturally spread throughout the world.

Message from the accepting company

Representative Director Shoki Matsuzaka
I originally lived in a city that was affected by various environmental impacts due to the development of industrial areas.I have seen up close how the air and water are becoming cleaner thanks to the efforts of local people.
When I started my business, I was an engineer, but I wanted to sell a product that could be delivered in some form, and I decided that if I were to make a new product from now on, it would be environmentally friendly. I arrived at the paper.
We are currently in a period of growth.Let's enjoy the busyness and establish a sustainable upcycling system surrounding craft beer in Yokohama.

Company Overview

Company Name Kitafuku Co., Ltd.
URL https://kitafuku-project.com/
Establishment 2019/7/23
Representative Representative Director Shoki Matsuzaka
Main office 3-7-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama WeWork Ocean Gate Minatomirai
Business Content ●Recycled paper business using craft beer malt residue
●SES (System Engineering Service)