Partnership Brings Next-Generation Photo Capture Experiences to Top Attractions in Europe, North America and Asia
ORLANDO, Floride, May 27, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–VENU+, a leading global provider of mobility, storage and visitor entertainment technology solutions, and a portfolio company of Z Capital Group (“ZCG”), today announced a strategic partnership with Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in branded entertainment destinations, to enhance and expand photo capture experiences across Merlin’s international portfolio.
The partnership will see the VENU+ photo capture platform deployed across 13 Merlin attractions, including flagship destinations such as LEGOLAND® Resorts and the London Eye, across Europe, North America and Asia. Phased implementation is already underway, with several sites already operational and others expected to be activated throughout 2026.
This agreement represents a significant expansion of VENU+’s presence in Europe and marks one of the largest photo capture partnerships in the region to date. It builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies, with Merlin having partnered with VENU+ on several product ranges for more than two decades.
As part of this partnership, VENU+ will provide a fully integrated suite of photo capture solutions, including attraction photography, immersive media experiences, roving photography and digital engagement tools, designed to enrich the visitor journey and create lasting, shareable memories.
“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Merlin Entertainments and bring our cutting-edge photographic capture capabilities to some of the world’s most iconic attractions,†said John Dunlap, Managing Director of VENU+. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to enhancing the visitor experience by providing more opportunities to capture and relive memorable moments. As the demand for immersive and personalized experiences continues to grow, we are well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions at scale. HAS”
This partnership directly responds to visitors’ growing demand for more dynamic and accessible ways to capture and interact with their experiences. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as facial recognition, digital content delivery and real-time multimedia experiences, VENU+ enables attractions to seamlessly combine physical and digital engagement throughout the visitor journey.
“We are thrilled to partner with VENU+ to capture the moments and memories that mean so much to our visitors,” said Hywel Mathias, Senior Vice President of Global Performance at Merlin Entertainments. “Photography is an important part of the experience we offer, and having a partner like VENU+ allows us to bring families together through play and give them a memory of their visit long after they leave. HAS”
“At ZCG, we’re focused on supporting platforms that improve the customer experience through innovation and scale,” said James Zenni, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ZCG. “This partnership highlights VENU+’s ability to realize large-scale global opportunities and strengthens its position as a leading provider of technology solutions for the attractions industry. We’re excited to support the team as they continue to expand their global presence. HAS”
This partnership also marks continued momentum in VENU+’s global growth strategy, with new product integrations and customer experience enhancements expected across Merlin’s portfolio over the coming years.
About VENU+
VENU+ is the world’s leading provider of comprehensive technology solutions that drive revenue and improve customer experiences in entertainment venues around the world. Its offering includes mobility solutions for visitors, smart lockers, souvenirs, photo services and entertainment solutions. VENU+ operates in all 50 U.S. states and 13 countries on four continents, setting the global standard for world-class products and services for more than 42 years.
VENU+ is backed by ZCG Private Equity, the private equity arm of Z Capital Group, LLC (“ZCG”), a leading global private equity firm.
About Merlin
Merlin Entertainments is a global leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of theme parks, city center attractions and LEGOLAND resorts across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and sharing, Merlin welcomes more than 60 million visitors each year to its various locations around the world, in more than 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-renowned entertainment brands to life, Merlin collaborates with partners such as the LEGO Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where visitors can immerse themselves in a wide range of brand-inspired worlds, rides and enriching educational experiences. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
At the proposal of ZCG
ZCG is a leading global private company engaged in private markets asset management, corporate advisory services, and technology development and solutions. ZCG’s investors include pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, central banks and insurance companies. For nearly 30 years, ZCG executives have invested tens of billions of dollars in capital. ZCG has approximately 400 professionals across five countries and is headquartered in New York. For more information, visit www.zcg.com.
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