When designing a minimalist table of contents for a founder presentation, the goal is not to simplify for the sake of aesthetics but to remove distractions and sharpen message. Investors receive a flood of proposals regularly, and their attention spans are short. A overloaded slide can distract from your core message. Instead, your table of contents should act as a subtle roadmap—clear, intentional, and effortlessly navigable.

Begin by identifying the core components that every investor needs to see. These typically include the problem, the how you solve it, your business model, size of the prize, proven momentum, founders and key players, and funding needs and returns. Avoid including generic content such as "Our Vision" or "Company History" unless they add critical context. Every line in your table of contents must hold weight. If a section doesn’t address a key concern, remove it.

Use direct, impactful phrasing. Instead of "About Us," write "The Team." Instead of "Market Analysis," try "Market Size." These phrases are clear and purpose-driven. Avoid empty terminology. Investors appreciate facts over flair. Each item should be a one-line entry, no more than seven words. This ensures visual breathing room and prevents cognitive overload.

Placement matters. Position the table of contents as the second structured element. It should be the first structured element the viewer encounters. Keep it on one page. Do not stretch it across multiple pages. If your table of contents requires scrolling or flipping, you’ve already lost some of the viewer’s attention.

Design the layout with intentional whitespace. Center-align the list or use a evenly spaced column. Use a unified font family, preferably modern, clean font. In a easily readable scale. Let the hierarchy emerge through font weight and spacing, not graphics or symbols. A bold header labeled "Outline" followed by normal text for ketik items is sufficient. No bullets, no borders, no decorative lines.

Consider the flow. The order of your sections should mirror the investor’s mental journey: pain → remedy → urgency → monetization → team → funding. This sequence guides the investor’s thinking. A well-ordered table of contents doesn’t just name slides—it tells a story before the story even begins.

Finally, test your table of contents with someone new to your industry. Can they anticipate what’s coming just by reading the heading? If not, reword for clarity. If they pause or need explanation, strip it down. Minimalism in a pitch deck isn’t about fewer elements—it’s about intentional communication. Every word, every space, every line must have a reason to be there. When done right, the table of contents doesn’t just guide the viewer—it reassures them that you’ve considered carefully about how to express your vision with clarity and conviction.