Bridgewater Area-Based Business Wins International Business Award

Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, October 16, 2026 – Bridgewater's representative at the 2026 International Network of Michelin Cities (INMC) Startup Pitch Competition in Italy has captured first place. Petite Rivière Farming Company Ltd, a startup company based in Conquerall Mills, Lunenburg County, took the top prize among 12 competing businesses, earning €5,000, international networking opportunities, and valuable market exposure.

Founder and CEO Gregg Curwin, along with members of his team, attended the INMC Conference in Cuneo, Italy, from October 5 to 8 as representatives of the Town of Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a founding member of the INMC (2017) and a signatory to the organization's Corridor of Incubators initiative (2024), which coordinated the international pitch competition.

Petite Rivière Farming Company Ltd specializes in growing broccoli sprouts in a carefully controlled greenhouse environment and produces their freeze-dried broccoli sprout powder, marketed and sold under the name PurPhane® through their consumer-facing brand GoMicro. PurPhane® contains sulforaphane, the naturally occurring compound found in broccoli sprouts. The research surrounding its potential role in supporting cellular health and various other aspects of human health. Employing a combination of traditional farming practices with innovative agricultural techniques, they’ve distinguished themselves in the marketplace and attracted significant, promising, attention.

(Photo: Petite Riviere Farming Company Ltd (PRFC) accepting their 1st Place prize at the INMC Startup Pitch Competition, Cuneo, Italy. © 2026 Leonie Bechtold Fotografie. Pictured l-r: Bridgewater’s Deputy Mayor, Jennifer MacDonald, PRFC representatives Gary Ramey, Tracy Curwin, Gregg Curwin, Stefan Ramey, and Bridgewater’s Mayor, David Mitchell)

Bridgewater Mayor David Mitchell said the Town was proud to showcase the company on an international stage.

"As a founding member of the INMC, we welcomed the opportunity to showcase such an impressive rural-based company as our representative for this competition," said Mitchell. "Their commitment to developing and growing this business in our region while employing local Lunenburg County talent makes this achievement even more meaningful for our community. This recognition demonstrates that innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup growth are thriving in Bridgewater and the surrounding area. We couldn't be prouder."

Curwin said he is grateful for the opportunity created by the Town and for the support it has provided throughout the company's journey over the past year.

"We were not aware of the INMC or the Town's involvement until we were encouraged to participate in the local pitch competition last April," said Curwin. "We were humbled to be selected to advance to the international competition in Italy."
Reflecting on the victory, Curwin said competing against such a diverse group of startups from Canada and Europe was an incredible experience.

"Startups like ours in rural Nova Scotia benefit tremendously from the support and advocacy of local municipalities," he said. "I've chosen to develop my company here, and our expansion plans will leverage the new contacts and exposure gained through this competition."

The 2026 Startup Pitch Competition featured 12 companies that had each won regional competitions in their respective INMC member cities. The competitors represented 10 cities across five countries, including three companies from Nova Scotia.

In partnership with Ignite Atlantic, the Town of Bridgewater, the Municipality of the County of Kings, and Pictou County hosted regional pitch competitions in April to determine their representatives for the international event. Bridgewater's Petite Rivière Farming Company Ltd was joined by Bioteem40 from Kings County and Micro Garden / Bramble Hill Farm from Pictou County.

Returning from the conference, Mayor Mitchell said the experience reinforced the value of Bridgewater's participation in the INMC.
"Building valuable international connections and increasing awareness of Bridgewater's entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem helps attract new businesses, encourage investment, and create new market opportunities for existing companies," he said. "We look forward to building on the foundation we've established for the benefit of our business community."

The International Network of Michelin Cities is a global network of 23 member cities and regions connected through their industrial and cultural ties to Michelin. Founded in 2017 at the initiative of the Mayor of Clermont-Ferrand, France, home to Michelin's global headquarters, the network promotes collaboration, innovation, and economic development among member communities.

Recognizing the value of these international relationships, Mayor Mitchell and Bridgewater Town Council joined as founding members. Since its inception, Bridgewater has continued to serve on the organization's executive board.

In 2024, during the biannual conference in Anderson, South Carolina, the Corridor of Incubators was launched to support startup business growth and collaboration among INMC member cities. Bridgewater became one of the original signatories to the initiative's Memorandum of Understanding.

At the 2026 conference, the Town, along with nine cities and business incubators, including Ignite Atlantic, renewed its commitment to the program for another two years. The initiative helps startups access local innovation ecosystems and resources as they grow and expand into new markets.

Donna Hatt, Economic Development Manager for the Town of Bridgewater, serves as the Town's representative on the Corridor of Incubators team and co-hosted the 2026 Pitch Competition on behalf of the Corridor members and the INMC.

The INMC hosts a conference every two years in a different member city, creating opportunities for members to exchange ideas, share best practices, build business relationships, and showcase their communities on an international stage.

Media Contact:
Town of Bridgewater
Donna Hatt, Economic Development Manager
902.930.21056
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Background:

Learn more about International Network of Michelin Cities:
https://inmc21.com/
Learn more about Petite Rivière Farming Company Ltd (GoMicro.ca):
https://www.petiterivierefarm.ca/
https://gomicro.ca/
October 15 interview with CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7382293

Town of Bridgewater INMC Membership
Oct 22, 2024: Bridgewater hosts launch of Michelin Cities Business Incubators Agreement
https://www.bridgewater.ca/news-events/latest-news/3441-bridgewater-hosts-launch-of-michelin-cities-business-incubators-agreement

March 2026: Nova Scotia Launches INMC International Startup Competition for Cuneo 2026
https://www.bridgewater.ca/news-events/latest-news/3636-nova-scotia-launches-inmc-international-startup-competition-for-cuneo-2026