In 1997, Sverica acquired Camera World Company of Portland, OR. Alessandro Mina moved to Portland to become President and CEO of the company. Under his leadership, the company upgraded its technology, developed e-commerce capability, launched a catalogue, and improved its infrastructure. Net sales and profits more than doubled in two years, encouraging substantial further investment by leading venture capital firms and giving investors the opportunity for partial liquidation of ownership. Again, realized equity returns greatly exceeded Sverica's original projections.