Purpose: Analyze whether project development in small and medium-sized companies to support the teaching-learning process (PBL methodology - Project Based Learning) is a solution to overcome the challenges of training professionals in the 21st century. Theoretical framework: Project development makes the student active in the teaching-learning process and enables the development of technical and behavioral skills and research with SMEs is necessary because they are little researched. Design/methodology/approach: It is applied research and the methodological approach used was the case study. The projects were developed in two small companies and data were collected on students' opinions about the process, through participant observation, documents and interviews. The data were obtained in the period 2016 and 2017 in the region of Bauru-SP, Brazil, in partnership with SEBRAE (Brazilian Service of Support to Micro and Small Enterprises). Findings: The methodology based on project development in small enterprises motivates students and develops transversal competences and generates benefits for companies. Research, Practical & Social implications: Small businesses offer the opportunity to look at a business as a whole and interact with all your members and bring the university closer to your community. Originality/value: small businesses can contribute to improving education by enabling the development of collaborative university-company projects. Keywords: PBL, small and medium-sized enterprises, engineering education, production systems.