Meet Robin Mashallah – Investment Advisor at Business Region Väst

Robin’s role focuses on strengthening the region’s efforts to attract new businesses and investment, with a particular emphasis on sustainable industry, advanced and additive manufacturing, defence innovation, dual-use technologies, and total defence.

His work includes showcasing the region’s industrial expertise, connecting businesses with the right partners, and helping municipalities prepare for new investment and establishment enquiries.

“For me, attracting new business investment is largely about understanding what companies need while recognising how the region’s combined strengths can create value. New opportunities often emerge when businesses, municipalities, and other stakeholders come together,” says Robin Mashallah.

With a background in business development at the City of Trollhättan, Robin brings several years of experience working closely with businesses, local authorities, academia, and public-sector organisations.

Focus on the Industries of Tomorrow

A key part of Robin’s role is strengthening Western Sweden’s position in the industries of tomorrow. The region has significant strengths in advanced and additive manufacturing, industrial development, electrification, defence-related innovation, and dual-use technologies.

As the security landscape evolves, the need for resilient value chains, stronger total defence capabilities, and closer connections between civilian industry and defence-related needs is also increasing.

“We are seeing a growing need to strengthen both security of supply and industrial capacity. At the same time, there are significant opportunities to generate new business, jobs, and investment in the region. Fyrbodal and Western Sweden have a great deal to contribute, not least through the strong industrial expertise already established here,” says Robin.

Municipalities Play a Key Role in Attracting Investment

Business Region Väst works closely with municipalities to attract new businesses and investment. This includes discussions about available land, premises, and infrastructure, as well as developing joint investment propositions for specific industries and value chains.

Municipalities contribute local business knowledge and insight into available opportunities, while Business Region Väst provides regional coordination, market intelligence, business connections, and support throughout the investment and establishment process.

“Municipalities are essential to attracting new investment. They are where opportunities become tangible. Our role is to connect local strengths with regional opportunities and ensure that companies have a coordinated, professional point of entry into the region,” says Robin.

Defence inWest – Turning Regional Strengths into New Opportunities

One example of regional collaboration in action is Defence inWest. The initiative began with a defence industry conference in Trollhättan in March 2026, organised by Business Region Väst, IUC Väst, Innovatum Science Park, and the City of Trollhättan. The conference brought together representatives from industry, academia, the public sector, and defence-related organisations.

The focus was on how the region’s civilian industrial strengths can contribute to stronger total defence capabilities, greater security of supply, and new business opportunities in defence innovation and dual-use technologies. The region’s expertise in advanced and additive manufacturing, drone technology, automation, and industrial development plays an important role in this work.

Since then, Defence inWest has evolved into a joint collaboration platform, with ongoing activities including dialogue with businesses and municipalities, the development of regional value chains, supplier development initiatives, access to test and demonstration environments, and business matchmaking.

The next Defence inWest conference will take place in Trollhättan on 3–5 February 2027, bringing stakeholders together for a major event within this ongoing collaboration.

Test Facilities and Innovation Hubs Strengthen the Region’s Offering

Innovation environments, test and demonstration facilities, industrial clusters, science parks, and academic institutions are also important parts of the region’s overall offering. They provide businesses with access to expertise, networks, and opportunities to develop and test new solutions.

“Our innovation hubs make the region’s strengths more tangible. They show where expertise is available, where companies can test and develop solutions, and where collaboration is already taking place. This strengthens our offering to businesses and investors,” says Robin.

Looking to Establish or Invest in Western Sweden?

Businesses, municipalities, and potential partners are welcome to contact Robin to discuss business establishments, investments, and strategic partnerships related to sustainable industry, advanced and additive manufacturing, defence innovation, dual-use technologies, and total defence.

“Please get in touch if you see opportunities, needs, or ideas where we could create value together. At its core, attracting new business investment is about collaboration, and by working together, we strengthen the region’s future competitiveness,” says Robin.