[kshcho]

I won't say it's common practice, but I'm aware of people at a few companies (not just startups, but some Fortune 500 ones as well) who use "interviews" to gather competitive intelligence and ideas.

Given your (1), it sounds like you might have run into that at least once. What industry / role were you talking to them about?

[8dot5by11]

I had an interview where they invited me to the next round as long as I prepared a presentation on the competitive landscape and state of the industry which only revealed my Powerpoint deck skills. I got the job. But then again, it wasn't in New York

[prodigal_erik]

Getting intel on rivals reminds me of how my manager occasionally asks network and security admin candidates to describe the topology at their current employer. The only acceptable answer is "no."