Brands
Byte-sized ownership: Bytepe turns smartphone dreams into subscriptions
MUMBAI: Why buy when you can subscribe? Bytepe, India’s first tech subscription platform, is reprogramming the way Indians think about smartphone ownership, with a model that swaps EMIs for easy monthly subscriptions and outdated devices for yearly upgrades.
Founded by serial entrepreneur Jayant Jha, the former Flipkart leader who co-founded and sold Yaantra to Flipkart, Bytepe promises to make premium smartphones, including the latest iphone 17 series, more accessible, affordable, and flexible than ever before.
“With Bytepe, we’re democratising luxury,” said Jha. “After years of watching consumers get locked into long EMIs and old devices, we wanted to create a model that’s lighter on the wallet, better for the planet, and puts control back in the user’s hands.”
The concept is refreshingly simple: pick your phone, pay a monthly subscription that’s lower than traditional EMIs, enjoy 100 per cent damage protection, and upgrade every year, no hidden costs, no long-term lock-ins. Bytepe also offers its own Bytepe EMI for non-credit card users, ensuring access for all.
For instance, the new iphone 17 (256 gb), priced at Rs 82,900, can be subscribed to for a fraction of that monthly, with the option to upgrade, return, or own it outright after 12 months. For those who prefer to pay upfront, Bytepe offers 50 per cent assured buyback after 12 or 24 months, plus full insurance coverage.
Starting with smartphones, Bytepe plans to expand into other tech categories including electronics and accessories, creating what Jha calls “a smarter, circular economy of ownership.”
In a market where affordability often comes at the cost of flexibility, Bytepe is offering something refreshingly new: the freedom to stay up to date, without being tied down.
Brands
Mars appoints Manish Syag as managing director for pet nutrition in India
FMCG veteran takes charge as managing director amid booming $2 billion market opportunity
DELHI: Mars Incorporated has elevated Manish Syag to managing director of its pet nutrition business in India, betting on two decades of FMCG expertise to capture a market poised for explosive growth.
Syag, who brings senior leadership experience from Hindustan Unilever and GSK Consumer Healthcare, joined Mars in 2024 as chief sales officer. He succeeds Salil Murthy, who has been promoted to global vice-president of enterprise transformation at Mars Pet Nutrition and will be based at the company’s London headquarters.
The appointment comes as India’s pet care market stands at what Syag calls “a defining moment”. The sector is projected to double to $7 billion in sales by 2028, up from $3.5 billion last year, according to Redseer Strategy Consultants. The number of pets in Indian households rose to 32 million in 2024 from 26 million in 2019.
“India is at a defining moment for the pet food market, which is expected to grow into a $2 billion category in a decade, evolving much as mainstream FMCG did in its early growth years, driven by access, awareness and trust,” Syag said.
Mars, which makes Pedigree, Whiskas and Sheba pet food brands, has been in India since 2002 and set up its first manufacturing facility five years later. The parent company’s other brands in chocolate and snacks include M&M’s, Snickers, Pringles and Cheez-It.
Large players in India’s pet care space include Mars, Nestlé, Heads Up For Tails and Drools. Reliance entered the category late last year, signalling growing corporate interest in a market that’s barely scratched the surface. With India’s rising pet ownership and premiumisation trends, the battle for bowls is only just beginning.
