Building for impact: a conversation with ZS2 Technologies Co-owner Kristin Davis
#StandWithOwners · Jun 12, 2026
Kristin Davis and Scott Jenkins founded Calgary-based
ZS2 Technologies
on the conviction that the way we build doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. Six years in, that belief has been proven right. From First Nations community hubs in Canada’s remote North to fuel caches for STARS Air Ambulance, ZS2 is using magnesium-based cement to build structures that are fire-resistant, weather-resilient and significantly lower in environmental impact than conventional alternatives.As a 2024
#StandWithOwners
winner and now a program partner, Davis knows firsthand what it means to have your story recognized on a national stage. This year, ZS2 is giving back by contributing $5,000 in products and services toward a Community Spaces Award in the 2026 contest.In this interview, Davis shares the hard-won lessons she’s learned about grit, innovation and the power of momentum.
What inspired you to start ZS2 Technologies?
Davis: Construction is simultaneously one of the fastest-moving industries and the slowest to adopt change. For too long, we’ve relied on underperforming materials despite rising costs and climate pressures. Our "aha moment" was recognizing that builders were being forced to choose between performance, affordability and sustainability, when they should be able to have all three.
“We started ZS2 because we believed better materials could build a better planet.”
What is the "invisible challenge" in your sector that you wish more people understood?
Davis: It’s how difficult it is to introduce innovation into a risk-averse industry. People prefer to stay with what they know, even if it’s outdated or eventually destined to fail. That means new products must prove themselves repeatedly through expensive testing, certifications and pilot projects. To move forward, you need relentless persistence and customers who believe in your vision before it’s mainstream.
What was the single most important decision for your company’s ability to scale?
Davis: Choosing to invest in long-term capability rather than short-term comfort. We continued developing our intellectual property and manufacturing processes even when it would have been easier to stay small. That decision positioned us as a platform for future growth, giving us the foundation to scale when market demand finally aligned with our vision.
How has your network shaped ZS2, and how has the company given back?
Davis: No company is ever truly built alone. The entrepreneurial community taught us resilience, while the construction community taught us practicality, solutions need to perform in the real world, not just in labs.
We aim to give back by advancing cleaner technologies and supporting projects like passive greenhouses or industrial storage in high-wind zones. Now, as a #StandWithOwners partner, we are donating $5,000 in ZS2 products and services to a 2026 winner to help bring their next project to life. Whether it’s a renovation or an innovative new build, this prize is designed to help a fellow owner move forward with strength and sustainability.
As a past winner, how has the #StandWithOwners recognition impacted your business?
Davis: Recognition creates momentum. It validates the hard work happening behind the scenes and shines a light on why your mission matters. It has opened doors to new partnerships and customers who may not have known our story. Sometimes the biggest shift is simply the boost in confidence, and confidence is one of the most powerful fuels for growth.
What advice would you give other Canadian owners considering applying?
Davis: Apply! Too many owners underestimate their own story and impact. Programs like this exist to recognize the grit and sacrifice it takes to build something real. If you have vision and grit, don't count yourself out.
“The true value of #StandWithOwners goes far beyond the prize; it’s the exposure, credibility and connection. Sometimes one opportunity creates the next five.”
Your business, boosted.
ZS2 Technologies is proof that bold ideas, the right community and added recognition can change an entire industry. Since 2020, we've committed close to $7 million to champion Canadian small businesses with funding, technology and exposure to help them thrive.
Because we're proud supporters of Canadian business.
*Visit website for complete contest details.
Authored by:
TELUS Business
