Does Venu connect to Cycling Power Meters?

They won't add it because to them it's not a premium athlete watch. Which is bs. Venu targets customers who are indoor trainers, be it weightlifting, boxing, crossfit, calisthenics, or gymnastics. (Since the touchscreen is much better for viewing the data). There are certain points in which a touchscreen is better and certain points where a 5 button scheme is better. Just because something has a touchscreen doesn't mean it shouldn't have athlete features. These are garmins. I wonder if Garmin will release a watch that can use BOTH touchscreen and the 5 button layout (either simultaneously or one of them disabled until turned back on in the settings)

Its software

I understand your reasoning and agree that it's BS.  However, indoor cycling and running is becoming a very big sport with huge participant numbers, eg. Zwift.  Cycling power is key for these people....I mean they've added/included Stryd power for running. To me it just seems like an ommision that they could remedy with an update.
The other point is that this is the only Garmin watch with a great screen, I understand the benefits of the standard Garmin screen, but the AMOLED just makes it a much better all round watch.... without any other AMOLED screened watches then the Venu will be the choice of many athletes because they want the screen quality. I had the option to go for another more expensive model with 50% discount, I'd have benefited in savings by buying a Fenix, but I didn't want to go with the dull Garmin screen when I'm not doing 24 hours runs or rides which necessitate the battery life.

I have one of the chest straps that includes a Power Meter, PowerCal, I think it's called.  I wonder if it will work..  Have to try it.  I gave up the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 because while they talk about it being an excellent watch for fitness, along with the Active 2, you simply cannot connect any external sensors to it except "Audio BLuetooth"...

As it stands I just use the 'cardio' activity when riding indoors to record effort from HR, I use another device for bike metrics.
By using cardio and NOT saving the activity, it will apply the effort impact to my body battery, and I can view\analyse my activity in Strava or another platform.
However, it would be nice to able to get cycling VO2 from indoor cycling using the watch, but I think that needs power.

Ive read online that Venu will work with power meters using certain IQ apps.  Anyone know what apps????

It may be this https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/d7b3918b-d4fa-4830-8da3-90b906de0b27

Note that, according to what I've read, it will display the power, but not record it as part of the fit file.

For Zwift, if you have a smart trainer, forget using the Venu to record the activity. Sync up Zwift with Connect and let Zwift send its data to Connect once the activity is over. Swift will send the power data to Connect which will display it in the app. That's what I do.