Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1542749
2 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 26, 2026 Biz Briefs Tel: (860) 236-9998 | Fax: (860) 570-2493 Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Hartford Business Journal P.O Box 330 Congers, NY 10920-9894 Subscriptions Annual subscriptions are $150.00. To subscribe, visit HartfordBusiness.com, email circulation@ hartfordbusiness.com, or call (845) 267-3008. Advertising For advertising information, please call (860) 236-9998. Please address all correspondence to: Hartford Business Journal, 100 Allyn Street, Suite 3, Hartford, CT 06103 Stay Connected For breaking and daily Greater Hartford business news go to: www.HartfordBusiness.com HBJ on Twitter: @HartfordBiz HBJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HartfordBiz HBJ on Linkedln:www.linkedin.com/company/the-Hart- ford-Business-Journal Daily e-newsletters: HBJ Today, CT Morning Blend: www.hartfordbusiness.com/enewsletters Hartford Business Journal (ISSN 1083-5245) is published bi-weekly, 27x per year — including two special issues in November and December — by New England Business Media, LLC, 100 Allyn Street, Suite 3, Hartford, CT 06103. Periodicals postage paid at Hartford, CT and at additional entry points. Tom Curtin | CEO, ext. 124, tcurtin@hartfordbusiness.com Editorial Greg Bordonaro | Editor, ext. 139 gbordonaro@hartfordbusiness.com Drew Larson | Web Editor, ext. 121 alarson@hartfordbusiness.com Beat: Energy Michael Puffer | Staff Writer, ext. 145 mpuffer@hartfordbusiness.com Beats: Real Estate, Economic Development, Banking & Finance David Krechevsky | Staff Writer, ext. 702 davidk@hartfordbusiness.com Beats: Health Care, Bioscience, State Government Harriet Jones | Staff Writer, ext. 145 hjones@hartfordbusiness.com Beats: Manufacturing, Cannabis, Professional Services Michael Juliano | Staff Writer mjuliano@hartfordbusiness.com Beat: Fairfield County Stephanie R. Meagher | Research Director Heide Martin | Research Assistant Steve Laschever | Photographer Business Tom Curtin | Publisher, ext. 124, tcurtin@hartfordbusiness.com Jessica M. Quinn | Associate Publisher, ext. 137 jquinn@hartfordbusiness.com Emily Paskind | Senior Accounts Manager, ext. 133, epaskind@hartfordbusiness.com Sadie Bride | Senior Accounts Manager, ext. 141, sbride@hartfordbusiness.com Michael Olender | Senior Accounts Manager, ext. 140, molender@hartfordbusiness.com Destiny Cyr | Operations & Administrative Specialist, ext. 138 dcyr@hartfordbusiness.com Tracy Rodwill | Human Resources Manager trodwill@nebusinessmedia.com Production Bartosz Zinowko | Production Director, ext. 147 bzinowko@hartfordbusiness.com Events Kathryn Pelletier | Events Manager, ext. 136 kpelletier@hartfordbusiness.com Travelers Cos. expands AI assistants in Anthropic deal Property and casualty insurer The Travelers Cos. said it is partnering with artificial intelligence company Anthropic to expand the use of generative AI tools across its workforce. Nearly 10,000 engineers, data scientists, analysts and other employees will gain access to personalized AI assistants, with terms of the deal not disclosed. Anthropic is the maker of Claude. Travelers, which has major operations in Hartford, said it has already been testing the technology. India cybersecurity firm to open U.S. regional HQ in CT after CI investment Connecticut Innovations has invested in India-based cybersecurity firm CloudSEK, which plans to establish its U.S. regional headquarters in Connecticut. The investment is part of CloudSEK's $10 million Series B2 funding round. CloudSEK, founded in 2015, provides AI-backed cyber threat intelligence and Macy's to close Cheshire, South Windsor facilities; cut more than 1,000 jobs National department store retailer Macy's Inc. has notified state officials Macy's distribution center at 301 Governors Highway, in South Windsor. Photo | CoStar 975 Lordship Blvd., in Stratford. Photo | CoStar Switzerland-based HVAC manufacturer expands CT footprint Switzerland-based HVAC manufacturer Belimo has signed a 170,000-square-foot warehouse lease at 975 Lordship Blvd. in Stratford to expand its Connecticut footprint. The company said the facility will be used for warehousing and distribution and is not a relocation from Danbury, where its U.S. operations are based at 33 Turner Road. Belimo said the Stratford lease will increase its total operations-related space in Connecticut to 282,000 square feet. The company has 531 Connecticut employees and said the expansion could add a limited number of new jobs. A spokesperson said the expansion reflects rising demand for energy-efficient building technologies and healthier indoor air, along with the need for improved logistics capacity. Two CT companies file for IPOs, plan NYSE listings T wo Connecticut-based companies — a fast- growing furniture retailer and a New Haven biotech developing a pill for hair loss — have filed plans with federal regulators to pursue initial public offerings. Manchester-based Bob's Discount Furniture, owned by Boston private equity firm Bain Capital, operates 206 stores in 26 states and reported net revenue of $1.72 billion through the first three quarters of 2025. The company filed the IPO as it targets 500 locations by 2035. Separately, Veradermics Inc. filed for an IPO as it advances an oral, extended-release formulation of minox- idil into late-stage clinical trials. The company, which raised $150 million last year, is developing an oral version of minoxidil — the drug used in Rogaine. Terms of the offerings were not disclosed. Bob's Discount Furniture founder Bob Kaufman, who no longer owns the company but remains a prominent face of the brand, poses with a figurine modeled after himself that has been featured in the retailer's advertising. Contributed Photo it plans to permanently close three Connecticut distribution facilities in Cheshire and South Windsor, eliminating more than 1,000 jobs. In WARN letters to the state Department of Labor and local officials, Macy's said it will shut down two Cheshire locations — 475 Knotter Drive and 181 W. Johnson Ave. — and a South Windsor facility at 301 Governors Highway. The Cheshire fulfillment center closures will eliminate 993 jobs through Aug. 29. In South Windsor, 57 employees will be laid off March 14, 2026, as delivery and returns operations close. CloudSEK and Connecticut Innovations leaders pose during a recent visit. Contributed Photo