1. If company A and B are both early startups with complimentary services, and a merger objectively benefits both A and B, how is the topic broached? How would B sell A on a merger?<p>2. Now what if A and B are competitors?<p>3. Enter big public company X that A and B both want to partner with. A is independently in conversations with X about partnering, but B is not. How would B bring up X and suggest an A+B+X partnership?
After getting an opinion from a competent lawyer. Perhaps an antitrust lawyer. The gist of what you are asking is: "I'd really like to illegally collude, re a negotiation that's already started, rather than compete in that negotiation. How can I do this without getting caught?" Step one - don't drop a comment at HN.